E-mail this pageWilderness First Responder Gear List
You should plan to wear or have with you clothing that will be appropriate to the season and location where you will be taking your course. Weather permitting, we will be spending a significant portion of the class time out-of-doors.
The following list is to SUPPLEMENT the clothing you will be wearing and is to be considered a minimum. You are free to supplement it with anything else you would normally carry. You will be using your equipment to provide care, build splints, and to keep yourself and OTHERS warm.
Required
These items should be packed for each class:
- Raingear tops and bottoms (no ponchos)
- (2) warm hats (synthetic* or wool)
- 1 pair warm gloves or mittens (synthetic* or wool)
- Long underwear tops and bottoms (synthetic* or wool)
- Warm top and bottom layer (synthetic* or wool)
- (2) pair of warm socks (synthetic* or wool)
- Pack (2500 cu inches or larger) or duffle bag
- (2) water bottles (1 liter/quart or larger)
- Hiking boots or sturdy hiking shoes
- Notebook with pen/pencil
Note: by "synthetic," we mean polyester or polypropylene (Capilene, Bergelene, Dri-Clime, etc.) We do NOT recommend cotton.
Highly Recommended
- Watch with second hand (or digital with seconds)
- Headlamp or flashlight (don’t forget extra batteries and bulbs)
- Pocket knife
- Insect repellent (in season)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- 40' small diameter cord (parachute cord is fine)
- Sleeping pad (Ensolite, Thermarest, Ridgecrest, etc.)
Recommended
- 10' x 10' 4-6 mil plastic tarp (for shelter building)
- Emergency bivy kit
- Stuff sack
- (2) garbage bags
- (2) long-burning candles (i.e. plumber's candles)
- Lighter and waterproof matches
- Metal cup
- (1) packet Jello (not sugarless)
- Small diameter cord
- Whistle and compass
Contact Information
If you have any questions about Expeditionary Studies classes, please feel free to contact us:
Larry Soroka, Director and Chair
Phone: (518) 564-5292
E-mail: laurence.soroka@plattsburgh.edu