Set up on land
Download maps and field references before leaving reliable service. Use a fitted case, secure tether and a dry pouch; a device rating is not permission to take unnecessary risks.
Choose a stable position before unlocking the screen. Never step into current, onto loose banks or near a drop while looking at the display.
Store data responsibly
Record time, general habitat and diagnostic details. Consider hiding precise coordinates for sensitive species or vulnerable spawning sites before sharing.
Back up observations later, away from the water, and clean equipment to reduce transfer between water bodies.