This chapter from Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller's Guide to Medical Care (6th edition) outlines essential preparedness for Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) technicians. It emphasizes the importance of self-care, detailing requirements for mental and physical well-being, including proper clothing, nutrition, hydration, and avoiding impairing substances, especially when working in diverse outdoor conditions. A major focus is placed on patient and rescuer safety through understanding disease transmission, defining key terms like pathogen and hazardous materials, and implementing standard precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent infection. Finally, the text briefly touches on the proper handling of crime scenes to preserve the chain of custody.