A handheld system for collecting and storing radiation data and position data includes both a radiation detector and a position detector interfaced to a handheld computer. The handheld computer retrieves and time correlates position data and radiation data for storage in a computer storage medium. A computer program code is also stored in the storage medium and includes executable portions adapted to retrieve both radiation data and position data and also adapted to time correlate radiation data and position data for storage in the storage medium. Methods of using a handheld system are provided that include carrying the handheld system to radiation areas for collecting and storing radiation data and position data for universal mapping. A method of training personnel for using a handheld system provides radiation data and a computer storage medium that simulates higher radiation readings correlated to position data for simulating a radiation area.
