Leave No Trace
While at Burning Toast Man learn to live the principle of "Leave No Trace." When you return to your normal life in the real world, remember these simple principles.
Never Let It Hit The Ground
Whether it's cartridges, bodies, or blood stains -- Never Let It Hit The Ground.
Here's how you can maximize both your fun and your longevity by following a few simple tenets.
- Revolvers VS Pistols. Pistols violate BtM's "Never Let It Hit The Ground" policy. Each expended shell is ejected after firing. A revolver retains the spent cartidges, thus avoiding unsightly trash spoiling the desert floor and also avoids unsightly litigation and legal prosecution when leaving a crime scene.
- Bloodstains are permanent. Whether it's a question of staining the pristine desert floor or making a mess on your cool costume, bloodstains are a memory you don't want to preserve. Consider other means of accomplishing your goals: poisons or garroting are by far the better choice. It's tempting to just have an "accident" in the desert when all those firearms and explosives are conveniently nearby, but Just Say No. If you must shoot someone, even just to wound, please aim to avoid major arteries and Leave No Trace. Word to the wise: a low caliber double tap to the back of the head is just as effective as a .50 caliber from 2000 yards, but leaves much less unsightly gore. Alternately, consider stocking up on Glaser Safety Slugs before hitting the playa, or "hitting a playa" in gangsta.
- Bodies are inconvenient. Don't leave one lying around. Bag it up and take it with you. Although it's tempting to just burn it, incinerating all chance of identification in a cleansing bath of healing flame, most fires aren't hot enough to do a complete job. The BtM staff has, in past years, finished incompetent cleanup jobs by crushing jawbones and skulls with a mallet to avoid dental record tracing of missing persons, but don't count on it. Our policy continues to be "your body, your choice." Any evidence you leave is your own responsibility.
Our aim is to leave the playa as we found it. Your aim should be as good.