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1.1 This guide establishes the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required to use a GPS/GNSS² receiver to determine one’s position, and collect location data, in the wilderness.

1.2 This guide applies to the use of a GPS/GNSS receiver on land, on and off roads, and on small bodies of water, wherever GPS/GNSS signals can be received.

1.3 This guide applies to the use of a GPS/GNSS receiver in disaster areas where local positioning aids or references may be lost or damaged.

1.4 This guide does not apply to the use of a GPS/GNSS receiver on large bodies of water, at sea, or in the air.

1.5 A person who meets the requirements in this guide is only prepared to operate a GPS/GNSS receiver to determine his or her location, and collect position and movement information, in a wilderness environment.

1.6 This guide does not imply that a GPS/GNSS receiver is a replacement for a map and compass. Use of the latter is strongly recommended as a backup for GPS/GNSS navigation.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

4.1 This guide establishes the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required to use a GPS/GNSS receiver to determine a position and collect navigational data in the wilderness. A person trained to this guide shall be endorsed for Basic Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IW Endorsed).

4.2 This guide is only the first level of training for wilderness GPS/GNSS use, and only establishes the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a person to use a GPS/GNSS receiver to determine his or her location and collect navigational data in a wilderness environment. No other skills are included or implied.

4.3 In addition to meeting the requirements of this guide, a person endorsed for Basic Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use shall also be adequately trained to travel and work in a wilderness environment.

4.4 Depending on the regulations or policies of the AHJ, additional knowledge, skills, or abilities may be required before a person who meets the requirements in this guide may use a GPS/GNSS receiver in a wilderness environment.

4.5 This guide by itself is not a complete training document. It only specifies the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for an individual to be endorsed for Basic Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use. This guide may, however, be used in the development of, or as part of, a complete training document or program.

4.6 Though this guide establishes only minimum training, it does not imply that a person endorsed for Basic Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use is a “trainee,” “probationary,” or other similar term member of an organization. The AHJ is responsible for determining the requirements and qualifications for member or employee ratings.

4.7 This guide can be used to evaluate a document to determine if its content includes the necessary topics for training a person to be endorsed for Basic Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use. Likewise, the guide can be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets the requirements of this guide.

4.8 The information in the following sections is not presented in any particular order and does not represent a training sequence.

4.9 Except where a physical skill or ability must be shown, the AHJ is responsible for determining the best way to evaluate a person’s knowledge, skill, and ability. This may be by written exam, oral exam, demonstration, or some combination of the three.