Although not intended as a complete manual, the guide gives families a better chance of surviving and recovering from a major emergency by helping them learn what emergencies and disasters could occur in the area, how to prepare for them, what action to take in emergencies, and how to develop emergency skills. The guide explains what supplies to keep on hand and gives procedures for the time after any emergency. It discusses preparedness and procedures for house fires, forest and wildland fires, power outages, lightning, earthquakes, tidal waves, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, and winter storms. The guide also discusses body management in terms of air, shelter, rest, water, and food. It lists general indicators of major body upsets, gives a list of household and automobile first aid supplies, and discusses various injuries (bleeding, wounds, shock, burns, fractures), with a table of signs, symptoms, and treatments. The book discusses the maintenance of good health and hygiene during emergencies, short-term emergency water sources, preparation of water in emergencies, food storage, and emergency menus. In addition to a chart of emergency telephone numbers, the guidebook contains an outline for family emergency planning. (SB)