Choose a spell of 5th level or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of 1 action, and that can target you. You cast that spell--called the contingent spell--as part of casting contingency, expending spell slots for both, but the contingent spell doesn't come into effect. Instead, it takes effect when a certain circumstance occurs. You describe that circumstance when you cast the two spells. For example, a contingency cast with water breathing might stipulate that water breathing comes into effect when you are engulfed in water or a similar liquid.
The contingent spell takes effect immediately after the circumstance is met for the first time, whether or not you want it to, and then contingency ends.
The contingent spell takes effect only on you, even if it can normally target others. You can use only one contingency spell at a time. If you cast this spell again, the effect of another contingency spell on you ends. Also, contingency ends on you if its material component is ever not on your person.
Obviously, it's a very self-referential spell description. I don't know how the repeated mentions of contingency within its own spell description should appear, but the two mentions of "water breathing" should at least link to the water breathing spell instead of simply being bolded.
(Also, the last "paragraph" starting with "If you cast..." should actually be part of the same paragraph as "The contingent spell takes effect only on you". Right now, it seems to be on a separate line, with just one new line between it and the previous "paragraph".)
The contingency description says:
Obviously, it's a very self-referential spell description. I don't know how the repeated mentions of contingency within its own spell description should appear, but the two mentions of "water breathing" should at least link to the water breathing spell instead of simply being bolded.
(Also, the last "paragraph" starting with "If you cast..." should actually be part of the same paragraph as "The contingent spell takes effect only on you". Right now, it seems to be on a separate line, with just one new line between it and the previous "paragraph".)
This is fixed. Thanks.