Rule of 3

 

 

Rule of 3 – Dynamic Risk Assessment for Tropical Environment

A simple field decision tool for jungle, urban and marine environments, including tropical weather, emergency readiness and remote-location controls. Select Green, Amber or Red for each condition. The tool will calculate the overall status.

Three Ambers = One Red.

1 Amber
Caution
2 Ambers
Stop & Reassess
3 Ambers
Red
Any Red
Stop

Current Status: GREEN

Conditions are currently acceptable. Continue with normal controls, maintain awareness, and keep monitoring the environment.

0 Green
0 Amber
0 Red
All Environment

Assessment Details

Guidance: Green = acceptable, Amber = warning sign, Red = stop condition. If unsure, select Amber and reassess with the team.

Date, Time and Review Details

Record when the Rule of 3 check was completed and when conditions must be reviewed again. This is especially important for changing weather, remote locations, marine work, jungle access and night shoots.

Suggested review rule: Re-check the Rule of 3 whenever the weather changes, light fades, access changes, water rises, thunder is heard, the unit moves location, or at least every 2 hours during unstable conditions.

Rule of 3 Input Table

No. Environment Check / Hazard Green Amber Red User Selection
1 Pre-Start Met / weather warning No active warning Weather watch, thunderstorm advisory, heavy rain possible Severe weather, flood, lightning or strong wind warning
2 Pre-Start / Jungle Heavy rain over recent days No significant recent rain Rain over last 1–3 days Several days of heavy rain, saturated ground, streams already high
3 Pre-Start / Jungle Recent landslide in area No known recent landslide Landslide reported nearby Landslide on access route, same slope system, or area declared unsafe
4 Pre-Start / Jungle Recent deadfall / tree fall in area No recent deadfall Fallen branches or deadfall nearby Multiple recent tree falls, cracking sounds, unstable canopy
5 Pre-Start / Jungle Location close to river / flood plain Well away from river, stream or low ground Near river, stream, drainage line or known flood-prone area In flood plain, beside fast-rising river, or route likely to be cut off
6 Pre-Start Access / escape route Clear and reliable Single route, muddy, delayed or difficult Blocked or likely to be blocked by flood, landslide or deadfall
6A Pre-Start / All Weather forecast for selected environment Forecast suitable for planned jungle, urban or marine work Weather may affect the planned environment, task or travel route Forecast conditions are unsuitable for the planned environment or activity
6B Pre-Start / All Lightning risk No thunderstorm activity forecast or observed Thunderstorm possible, thunder heard in distance, or clouds building Lightning nearby, storm overhead, exposed location, water work or metal structures exposed
6C Pre-Start / All Lighting / visibility Good natural or artificial lighting; hazards visible Low light, shadows, glare, rain, mist, smoke or darkness reducing visibility People, vehicles, boats, slopes, water edges or hazards cannot be seen clearly
6D Pre-Start / All Medics available on set / location Medic or first aid cover present and briefed Medic delayed, limited cover, or unclear medical response arrangement No medic / first aid cover for higher-risk or remote work
6E Pre-Start / All Emergency equipment Relevant emergency equipment available, checked and accessible Equipment present but incomplete, hard to access, or not fully checked Critical emergency equipment missing, unsuitable or inaccessible
6F Pre-Start / All Communications check Radios / phones / satellite device tested and working Weak signal, limited coverage, spare batteries needed, or delayed check-ins No reliable communication with base, crew, safety, medic or emergency support
6G Pre-Start / All Remote location / delayed response Location close to support, access and emergency services Remote area, delayed evacuation, limited road / boat access, or long response time Remote location with no reliable comms, no medic, difficult evacuation or worsening weather
6H Pre-Start / All Emergency access / evacuation route Emergency route identified, open and suitable for vehicle / boat / stretcher access Evacuation route is slow, difficult, weather dependent or requires guide support No safe evacuation route, route blocked, or casualty extraction not possible
7 Jungle Current rainfall Dry or light passing rain Heavy rain building or continuous rain Intense rain, poor visibility, water rising
8 Jungle Flash flood signs Streams normal Water rising, flow increasing, water turning brown Rapid rise, unsafe crossing, flood route blocked
9 Jungle Slope / terrain condition Ground firm and stable Saturated soil, erosion, small slips, cracks Active movement, fresh cracks, slipping ground, rock or soil fall
10 Jungle Trees / canopy Trees appear stable Dead branches, leaning trees, movement in canopy Cracking sounds, falling branches, tree movement, recent fall nearby
11 Jungle Thunderstorms / lightning No thunder or storm signs Thunder heard, dark cloud build-up Lightning nearby, storm overhead, exposed ridge or water area
12 Jungle High winds Calm or light wind Wind moving canopy or branches Branches falling, trees moving heavily, unsafe canopy
13 Jungle Visibility Good visibility Rain, mist or darkness reducing visibility Route finding unsafe, team cannot see hazards clearly
14 All Team condition Team alert, hydrated and capable Fatigue, heat stress concern, reduced focus Heat illness signs, injury, confusion, panic or exhaustion
15 All Communication Reliable radio / phone / check-in Weak signal or delayed check-ins No contact, team separated, emergency response compromised
16 Urban Surface water / drainage Drains clear, no ponding Ponding water, blocked drains, water collecting Road flooding, open drains hidden, fast-moving water
17 Urban Wind and loose objects No loose materials Signage, sheeting, hoarding or debris moving Falling objects, roof sheets lifting, unstable temporary structures
18 Urban Traffic and visibility Good visibility and traffic control Heavy rain affects drivers or pedestrians Traffic control ineffective, near misses, unsafe road conditions
19 Urban Electrical exposure No exposed or wet electrical equipment Temporary power near wet areas, wet cables Live exposure, sparks, submerged electrical equipment
20 Urban Buildings / structures / roofs Stable structures Old roofs, loose tiles, damaged trees or unstable materials nearby Collapse risk, falling materials, unsafe access
21 Marine Wind Light wind Wind increasing, boat handling affected Unsafe to launch, return, transfer people or continue activity
22 Marine Waves / swell Calm water Choppy water, increasing swell Boarding unsafe, boat unstable, capsize risk
23 Marine Lightning No thunder or storm signs Thunder heard, dark clouds building Lightning nearby, storm approaching, exposed on water
24 Marine Marine visibility Clear visibility Rain reducing visibility Cannot see shore, route, hazards or other boats
25 Marine Currents / water movement Normal current Stronger current, floating debris, water moving faster Person-overboard recovery difficult, unsafe swim or transfer
26 Marine Return route Safe return route Return route exposed to worsening weather Unable to safely return, land, dock or transfer

Windy Weather Map

Use this panel to check live weather layers such as wind, rain/thunder, radar and clouds before applying the Rule of 3. This supports the pre-start check for Met / weather warnings and changing tropical conditions.

Official Southeast Asia Weather Forecast Links

Select a country to open the relevant official forecast or warning page. Use this as part of the pre-start weather check before completing the Rule of 3.

Open Forecast Open Warnings Regional / WMO Open Windy Map
Rule of 3 use: If the official forecast or warning page shows heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning risk, flooding, strong winds, poor visibility, rough seas or severe weather, select Amber or Red in the relevant fields below.
Example: Kuala Lumpur 3.1390
Example: Kuala Lumpur 101.6869
How to use with the Rule of 3: Windy should not replace local authority warnings or field observations. Use it as an extra pre-start check. If Windy shows heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong wind, gusts, or worsening weather moving toward the site, select Amber or Red in the relevant Rule of 3 fields.

Action Guidance

Status Trigger Recommended Action
Green 0 Ambers and no Reds Continue with normal controls and keep monitoring.
Amber 1 Amber and no Reds Proceed with caution. Brief the team and increase monitoring.
Strong Amber 2 Ambers and no Reds Stop and reassess. Add controls, change route, reduce exposure or delay.
Red 3 Ambers, any Red, or automatic escalation Stop the activity. Delay, relocate, change the plan or withdraw to a safer area.
Check the past. Read the present. Watch what is changing. Three Ambers = One Red.

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