You can find an incredibly rich set of resources here that includes articles, curriculum materials, videos, Blogs from industry experts, online discussion forums, Job Postings, Training Listings, the most detailed listing of outdoor adventure providers on the Web and more! Thanks for being a part of the Outdoor Ed Community
OutdoorEd.com
OutdoorSafety.org
Outdoor Ed Store
Outdoor Ed Community
The Recreation Law Center
The Outdoor Ed Community is the online Social Networking site for outdoor professionals where you can interact colleagues and peers from around the world.
Outdoor Ed offers the best source for outdoor professionals to find careers and for employers to find great staff. We also host the largest online directory of companies and schools offering outdoor and experiential education programs and degrees. You can search for specific jobs, companies or schools.
From Wilderness First Aid courses to rock climbing certifications, this is your source for finding professional training.
The Outdoor Ed Community is where you can interact with other outdoor professionals.
The Backpacker's Field Manual now in it's second edition is over 400 pages of text with over 100 line drawings. This is an excellent text for both experienced and first time backpackers. With perhaps the broadest scope of any backpacking book on the market it really fits into the category of a field manual. More than any other backpacking book, this is the one that you would take with you on the trail. The success of this book is indicated by how many outdoor programs, colleges and universities use The Backpacker's Field Manual as a text book and manual for outdoor instructors.
Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Barnes and Noble
The Backpacker's Field Manual is now the most portable backpacking field guide published. It's now available in EPUB format on Kindle, iBooks and Nook.
Buy for Kindle Buy for Nook Buy on iBooks - open iBooks on your mobile device
This is not a slim compendium of bold-faced hiking tips; in other words, if you come face-to-face with Mr. Bear on the trail, you won't be whipping out The Backpacker's Field Manual for quick advice. On the other hand, if you take the time to plan your excursions into the wilderness, this thorough guide will prove invaluable. From packing to navigation to first aid, all the basics of backcountry travel are covered in detail. And for the more serious outdoors enthusiasts, there is plenty of advanced info, such as how to read weather patterns or where to look for underground water sources. But no matter what their skill level, anyone planning on spending time in the wilderness should prepare ahead with a guide like The Backpacker's Field Manual. Amazon.com
Painstakingly researched, the Backpackers Field Manual is a must read for anyone who spends time in the backcountry. It is a comprehensive guide that goes well beyond the basics. Rick Curtis has compiled a concise and easy-to-digest manual that should be required reading for all backcountry users. In his second edition, Rick Curtis has done the unimaginable, and made the Backpacker's Field Manual even better! Short of including a camp cook, I can't imagine how this book could be improved upon. Charley Shimanski Education Director, Mountain Rescue Association
The Backpackers Field Manual is an excellent resource for anyone venturing into the backcountry. More important, however, is the comprehensive nature of the Leave No Trace information that is included in the Manual. As more people enjoy the out-of-doors, having a keen awareness of how to minimize recreation-related impacts to our limited resources is paramount. The author has done a great service to the wildlands we all cherish. Ben Lawhon Education Director, Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
Group Size and Ability 2 Activities 3 Location and Weather 4 Expect the Unexpected 5 Equipment 6 Food 6 Costs 6 Skill Development 6
Group Size and Ability 2
Activities 3
Location and Weather 4
Expect the Unexpected 5
Equipment 6
Food 6
Costs 6
Skill Development 6
Pre-Trip 7 During the Trip 8 On Your Return 8
Pre-Trip 7
During the Trip 8
On Your Return 8
Trip Difficulty Rating 9
Guidebooks 10 Travel Logistics 11 Choosing Campsites 11 Estimating Travel Times 12 Time Control Plan 14
Guidebooks 10
Travel Logistics 11
Choosing Campsites 11
Estimating Travel Times 12
Time Control Plan 14
Resupply Issues 15
Personal Equipment 20 Group Equipment 20 The Essentials 21
Personal Equipment 20
Group Equipment 20
The Essentials 21
Regulating Your Body Temperature 22 The Layering Principle 23 The Clothing Layers 24 Clothing Techniques 32
Regulating Your Body Temperature 22
The Layering Principle 23
The Clothing Layers 24
Clothing Techniques 32
What Kind of Boots 35 Fitting Boots 35 Breaking In Boots 36 Boot Care 37
What Kind of Boots 35
Fitting Boots 35
Breaking In Boots 36
Boot Care 37
Pack Size 40 Sizing a Pack 41 Packing Your Pack 42 General Packing Suggestions 43
Pack Size 40
Sizing a Pack 41
Packing Your Pack 42
General Packing Suggestions 43
Sleeping Bags 46 Sleeping Pads 49
Sleeping Bags 46
Sleeping Pads 49
General Shelter Tips 50 Tarps 51 Tents 53
General Shelter Tips 50
Tarps 51
Tents 53
Backpacking Stoves 55 Gas Stove 58 Lightweight/Ultralight Cartridge Stoves 61
Backpacking Stoves 55
Gas Stove 58
Lightweight/Ultralight Cartridge
Stoves 61
Caloric Requirements 67 Food Sources 67
Caloric Requirements 67
Food Sources 67
How Long are You Going to be Out? 72 Ease of Preparation 72 Weight 73 Packaging/Repackaging 74 Spoilage 74 Eating on the Trail 76
How Long are You Going to be Out? 72
Ease of Preparation 72
Weight 73
Packaging/Repackaging 74
Spoilage 74
Eating on the Trail 76
Sample Recipes 78
Handwashing 88 Personal Bathing 90
Handwashing 88
Personal Bathing 90
Tampons vs. Pads 93 Disposing of Tampons, Pads, and Towelettes 93
Tampons vs. Pads 93
Disposing of Tampons, Pads, and Towelettes 93
Boiling 95 Chemical Purification 95 Mixed-Oxidant Solutions 97 Ultraviolet Light 98 Filtration 99
Boiling 95
Chemical Purification 95
Mixed-Oxidant Solutions 97
Ultraviolet Light 98
Filtration 99
Preventing Your Water from Freezing 103
Travel on Existing Trails 108 Traveling Off-trail 108
Travel on Existing Trails 108
Traveling Off-trail 108
General Campsite Guidelines 110 Camping in High-Use Areas 110 Camping in Pristine, Undisturbed Areas 111
General Campsite Guidelines 110
Camping in High-Use Areas 110
Camping in Pristine,
Undisturbed Areas 111
Dealing with Human Waste 113 Urine 114 Feces 115 Toilet Paper 119
Dealing with Human Waste 113
Urine 114
Feces 115
Toilet Paper 119
Medical Waste 121 Garbage 121 Trash 122 Wastewater 122 At the End of the Trip 122
Medical Waste 121
Garbage 121
Trash 122
Wastewater 122
At the End of the Trip 122
General Guidelines for Fire Building 123 Fires in Highly Impacted Areas 124 Fires in Pristine Areas 124 Methods of Leave No Trace Fire Building 125 Building and Lighting a Fire 126 Clean-up After a Fire 128
General Guidelines for Fire Building 123
Fires in Highly Impacted Areas 124
Fires in Pristine Areas 124
Methods of Leave No Trace Fire Building 125
Building and Lighting a Fire 126
Clean-up After a Fire 128
Leave Natural Features Undisturbed 128 Avoid Spreading Non-Native Plants and Animals 129 Respect Cultural, Religious, and Historical Sites 129
Leave Natural Features Undisturbed 128
Avoid Spreading Non-Native Plants and Animals 129
Respect Cultural, Religious, and Historical Sites 129
Map Scale 134 Map Colors and Symbols 135 Map Legend 135 Contour Lines 136 Measuring Distances 136
Map Scale 134
Map Colors and Symbols 135
Map Legend 135
Contour Lines 136
Measuring Distances 136
Latitude and Longitude 138 Universal Transverse Mercator System 139
Latitude and Longitude 138
Universal Transverse Mercator System 139
What Is North? 145 Declination 146
What Is North? 145
Declination 146
Bearings 148 Map Bearings versus Magnetic Bearings 148 East Declination 149 West Declination 150 Adjusting Your Compass for the Local Declination 151
Bearings 148
Map Bearings versus Magnetic Bearings 148
East Declination 149
West Declination 150
Adjusting Your Compass for the Local Declination 151
Check Your Position Regularly 151 Orient the Map 151 Identify Terrain Features 152
Check Your Position Regularly 151
Orient the Map 151
Identify Terrain Features 152
Scenario 1 - Lost in the Fog 153 Scenario 2 - Heading to the Summit 155 Scenario 3 - Retracing Your Steps to Camp 155 Scenario 4 - Maneuvering Around Obstacles 158 Scenario 5 - Locating Yourself When Lost 159
Scenario 1 - Lost in the Fog 153
Scenario 2 - Heading to the Summit 155
Scenario 3 - Retracing Your Steps to Camp 155
Scenario 4 - Maneuvering Around Obstacles 158
Scenario 5 - Locating Yourself When Lost 159
Watch 161 Altimeter 161
Watch 161
Altimeter 161
Mapping Software 163 Map Datum 163 Using a GPS 164
Mapping Software 163
Map Datum 163
Using a GPS 164
Group Size 165 Conserving Energy 166 Hiking Techniques 168
Group Size 165
Conserving Energy 166
Hiking Techniques 168
General Backcountry Conditions 170 Hiking on Snow and Ice 173 Crossing Rivers 174 Crossing Roads 179
General Backcountry Conditions 170
Hiking on Snow and Ice 173
Crossing Rivers 174
Crossing Roads 179
Bear Precautions 182 Bear Encounters 182 How to Bearproof Your Camp 184
Bear Precautions 182
Bear Encounters 182
How to Bearproof Your Camp 184
Two Half-Hitches 189 Bowline 190 Tautline Hitch 190 Square Knot 191 Sheet Bend 191 Trucker's Hitch 192
Two Half-Hitches 189
Bowline 190
Tautline Hitch 190
Square Knot 191
Sheet Bend 191
Trucker's Hitch 192
Temperature Ranges and Typical Weather Patterns 194
Mountain Winds 195 Coastal Winds 195 Changes in Wind Direction 195
Mountain Winds 195
Coastal Winds 195
Changes in Wind Direction 195
Specific Cloud Types 196
Warm Fronts 199 Cold Fronts 200 Occluded Fronts 200
Warm Fronts 199
Cold Fronts 200
Occluded Fronts 200
The Physics of Lightning 202 Lightning Dangers 204
The Physics of Lightning 202
Lightning Dangers 204
Direction 210 Time 212
Direction 210
Time 212
Leaf Attachment 213 Leaf Type 213 Basic Tree Identification 214
Leaf Attachment 213
Leaf Type 213
Basic Tree Identification 214
Wild Edibles 219 Plants to Avoid 219
Wild Edibles 219
Plants to Avoid 219
Environmental Hazards 226 Equipment Hazards 227 Human Hazards 227 Balancing Hazards with Safety Practices 228 Safety Protocols/Practices 229 Preventing Accidents 231 Situational Awareness�"Leader's Radar" 232 Analyzing Accidents�Closing the Circle 233
Environmental Hazards 226
Equipment Hazards 227
Human Hazards 227
Balancing Hazards with Safety Practices 228
Safety Protocols/Practices 229
Preventing Accidents 231
Situational Awareness�"Leader's Radar" 232
Analyzing Accidents�Closing the Circle 233
Possible Evacuation Scenarios 236 Choosing to Evacuate 237 Running the Evacuation 238
Possible Evacuation Scenarios 236
Choosing to Evacuate 237
Running the Evacuation 238
If the Group Gets Lost 238 If You or Someone in the Group Gets Lost 239 If You Are Hiking Alone and Get Lost 240 Identifying Your Location 240 Signaling for Help 241 Finding a Lost Person 243
If the Group Gets Lost 238
If You or Someone in the Group Gets Lost 239
If You Are Hiking Alone and Get Lost 240
Identifying Your Location 240
Signaling for Help 241
Finding a Lost Person 243
The Dynamics of Forest Fire 247 Fire Safety Plan 248 Fighting Fires 249
The Dynamics of Forest Fire 247
Fire Safety Plan 248
Fighting Fires 249
The Five Elements of Survival 250 Shelter 251 Water 253
The Five Elements of Survival 250
Shelter 251
Water 253
The Wilderness Context 260 Good Samaritan Laws 261
The Wilderness Context 260
Good Samaritan Laws 261
Universal Precautions for Working With Blood and Body Fluids 265 Assess the Scene 266 Initial Assessment 266 Focused History and Physical Exam 268
Universal Precautions for Working With Blood and Body Fluids 265
Assess the Scene 266
Initial Assessment 266
Focused History and Physical Exam 268
Develop a Treatment Plan 273
Shock 274 Swelling 276 Ischemia 277 Shell/Core Response 278 Bleeding 278 Wound Care 279 Wound Infection 281 Basic Life Support 282 Moving Your Patient 283
Shock 274
Swelling 276
Ischemia 277
Shell/Core Response 278
Bleeding 278
Wound Care 279
Wound Infection 281
Basic Life Support 282
Moving Your Patient 283
Stable and Unstable Injuries 286 Basic Stable Injury Treatment 287 Strains 287 Tendonitis 288 Sprains 288
Stable and Unstable Injuries 286
Basic Stable Injury Treatment 287
Strains 287
Tendonitis 288
Sprains 288
Splinting 289 Fractures at Joints 295 Angulated Fractures 295 Open Fractures 296 Femur Fractures and Traction Splints 297
Splinting 289
Fractures at Joints 295
Angulated Fractures 295
Open Fractures 296
Femur Fractures and Traction Splints 297
Shoulder Dislocations 299 Kneecap Dislocation 301 Digit Dislocation 302
Shoulder Dislocations 299
Kneecap Dislocation 301
Digit Dislocation 302
Treating Spinal Injuries 303
Fainting 305 Head Injury 306 Increasing Intracranial Pressure (ICP) 307 Concussion 308 Skull Fractures 309 Seizures 309
Fainting 305
Head Injury 306
Increasing Intracranial Pressure (ICP) 307
Concussion 308
Skull Fractures 309
Seizures 309
Broken Ribs 311 Flail Chest 312 Closed Pneumothorax/Hemothorax 312 Open Pneumothorax�Sucking Chest Wound 313 Tension Pneumothorax 313 Impaled Object in the Chest 314
Broken Ribs 311
Flail Chest 312
Closed Pneumothorax/Hemothorax 312
Open Pneumothorax�Sucking Chest Wound 313
Tension Pneumothorax 313
Impaled Object in the Chest 314
Superficial Burns (First-Degree) 315 Partial-Thickness Burns (Second- Degree) 315 Full-Thickness Burns (Third-Degree) 315
Superficial Burns (First-Degree) 315
Partial-Thickness Burns (Second- Degree) 315
Full-Thickness Burns (Third-Degree) 315
Blisters 317 Lacerations 319
Blisters 317
Lacerations 319
Minor Impaled Objects 320
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac 321 Friction Rashes 322
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac 321
Friction Rashes 322
Thermal Burns 322 Snowblindness 322 Chemical Burns 323 Foreign Objects 323 Impaled Objects 323 Contact Lens Problems 323
Thermal Burns 322
Snowblindness 322
Chemical Burns 323
Foreign Objects 323
Impaled Objects 323
Contact Lens Problems 323
Toothaches 325 Broken Tooth 325 Fractured Tooth 325 Knocked-out Tooth 325 Lost Filling 326 Infection 326
Toothaches 325
Broken Tooth 325
Fractured Tooth 325
Knocked-out Tooth 325
Lost Filling 326
Infection 326
Fluid Balance 325 Hyponatremia�"Water Intoxication" 327
Fluid Balance 325
Hyponatremia�"Water Intoxication" 327
Cold Challenge 330
Hypothermia 332 Immersion Hypothermia 337 Frostbite and Other Cold-Weather Tissue Injuries 338 Immersion Foot or Trenchfoot 341
Hypothermia 332
Immersion Hypothermia 337
Frostbite and Other Cold-Weather Tissue Injuries 338
Immersion Foot or Trenchfoot 341
Heat Challenge 342 Heat Cramps 345 Heat Syncope 345 Heat Exhaustion 345 Heatstroke 346
Heat Challenge 342
Heat Cramps 345
Heat Syncope 345
Heat Exhaustion 345
Heatstroke 346
Acids and Bases 350 Petroleum Products 350 Medicines or Plants 350 Iodine Crystals 350 Carbon Monoxide 351 White Gas 351
Acids and Bases 350
Petroleum Products 350
Medicines or Plants 350
Iodine Crystals 350
Carbon Monoxide 351
White Gas 351
Rabies 352
Pit Vipers 353 Coral Snakes 354
Pit Vipers 353
Coral Snakes 354
Black Widow Spider 355 Brown Recluse Spider 355 Hobo Spider 356 Scorpions 356 Insect Repellants 357 Mosquitoes and Disease 359 Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases 360 Bee, Yellow Jacket, and Wasp Stings 363 Anaphylaxis 364 Chiggers 366
Black Widow Spider 355
Brown Recluse Spider 355
Hobo Spider 356
Scorpions 356
Insect Repellants 357
Mosquitoes and Disease 359
Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases 360
Bee, Yellow Jacket, and Wasp Stings 363
Anaphylaxis 364
Chiggers 366
Abdominal Injuries and Gastrointestinal Problems 367 Appendicitis 367 Constipation 368 Diarrhea or Vomiting 368 Gastrointestinal Infections 370 Giardia 370 Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora 371
Abdominal Injuries and Gastrointestinal Problems 367
Appendicitis 367
Constipation 368
Diarrhea or Vomiting 368
Gastrointestinal Infections 370
Giardia 370
Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora 371
Tetanus 372 Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome 373
Tetanus 372
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome 373
Asthma 375
Urinary Tract Disorders 376 Vaginitis 377
Urinary Tract Disorders 376
Vaginitis 377
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) 378 Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) 379
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) 378
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) 379
Acclimatization 380 Acute Mountain Sickness 381 High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema 383 High-Altitude Cerebral Edema 384
Acclimatization 380
Acute Mountain Sickness 381
High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema 383
High-Altitude Cerebral Edema 384
Formal versus Informal Leadership 387 Situational Leadership® 388
Formal versus Informal Leadership 387
Situational Leadership® 388
Who makes the Decision? 391 Planning out the Decision 392 Group Decision Making 393 Decision-Making Techniques 393 Communicating the Decision 394
Who makes the Decision? 391
Planning out the Decision 392
Group Decision Making 393
Decision-Making Techniques 393
Communicating the Decision 394
When to Reflect 395 How to Reflect 397
When to Reflect 395
How to Reflect 397
