I think I'll weigh in on this thread, too.

I used to be a software technical writer and software documentation analyst in my previous employment incarnation. I worked in the field for 12 years. Having learned some plain and fancy swimming in that time, I feel qualified to pass on some advice. The most important consideration is to make what you write as readable as possible to your audience. Don't worry so much about grammar, but be very careful that your reader knows what you're talking about at all times. Here's some more:

• List priorities first. When describing how to satisfy those priorities, tell the reader what he or she needs, then go through the procedure step by step.
• Create an index of available equipment. Then describe the uses of each piece of equipment.
• Create a FAQ with various functions. Then describe how to perform those functions. (See bullet 1 for method.)
• Reader's Digest assumes 7th grade level literacy. This is not a bad guideline. But consider the literacy level of your probable audience. If you have a 3rd grader in your household, pitch it to him or her.
• Get a copy of Colin Fletcher's The Compleat Walker . Use what you can, especially his upbeat quotations and readings in the back of the book.
• Include in your survival kit spiritual sustenance such as the Bible, the Quran, or Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah.
• Make use of a "professional idiot": someone who is not knowledgeable about survival, but is articulate enough to identify puzzling spots and describe them to you. Submit chunks of material to your PI from time to time and listen to and incorporate what you get for feedback.

What a wonderful project! Keep us informed! I'll check this thread from time to time, so if you need some help, I'll be available.

Tahirih
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