Field Safety Courses
Spring 2025 Field Safety classes
Course fees are covered for ÐÔÓûÉç Researchers by ÐÔÓûÉç VC of Research, but Fund-Org is required for registration.
Working in the field has a unique set of challenges and risks. At Outdoor Adventures, we recognize those hazards and have worked with researchers on campus to compile a variety of trainings that will give you the tools, tips, and tricks to help mitigate some of the risk associated with field work.
We offer a collection of courses in the Spring semester each year, funded by ÐÔÓûÉç Vice Chancellor for Research. Outside of these offerings, we are able to provide the same material for a fee (season dependent) .
If you are looking for training for your team, please see our courses listed below and pricing. Please contact us if you are interested in coordinating a course for your group. Mark Oldmixon - mtoldmixon@alaska.edu or 907-474-6709
Complete this with your information, including Fund-Org Accounting info. The Google Form will go LIVE December 9th, 2024 at Noon. First-come, First-serve.
If you have a question contact Mark Oldmixon by email or calling 907-474-6709.
The course fees for these regularly scheduled programs are covered by a generous grant from the Vice Chancellor of Research. We are requiring a Fund-Org Acct number in order to reserve your spot. We will charge the account a $50/day fee if you cancel within 5 calendar days or just skip the class. Unfortunately, we had people skip courses in the past, and leave people on the waitlist who could have used this training.
Date: Thursday, March 27th
Time: 8:30am-4:00pm
Where: Reichardt 207
Space: Limited to 10
Instructor: Mark Oldmixon
This awareness level course is important for anyone heading into the mountains during seasons in which snow is likely. Learn to identify avalanche slopes and hazards. Understand red flag situations and scenarios. Learn how to use critical rescue gear in the event of a burial. This course will be both inside and outside, dress appropriately. Roughly 7 hours.
Date: Monday, 2.3.2025
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Where: SRC 105 - Outdoor Adventures Office
Space: Limited to 10
Instructor: Frank Olive
If you utilize cross country skis or snowshoes in the field, this is the course for you. We'll practice various techniques for travel with these mediums and learn about environmental considerations. Additionally, we'll spend some time focusing on layering and the means of setting yourself up for success in a wintery environment.
Date: Tuesday, 2.11.25
Time: 8:00am - 12:00PM
Where: Gruening 215
Instructor: Bethany Graves
Learn this simple skill that has been proven to save lives when done quickly and correctly. Includes Adult/Child CPR, AED as well as EpiPen autoinjector.
Date: Awaiting Rescheduling
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Bunnell 302
Instructor: Julia Aikman
QPR Provides three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. A trained QPR Gatekeeper can help prevent suicide by understanding how to recognize warning signs, ask questions, provide hope, and get help. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.
Date: Saturday, February 22nd and Sunday February 23rd, 2025
Time: 8am - 6pm, both days
Where: Greuning 301
Space: Limited to 12 participants
Instructor: Deb Anjago
20-hour wilderness first aid course. During this course you will get information about first aid in a wilderness context. This includes assessing how serious a medical problem is, if it is fixable in the field, and what kind of evacuation, help or resources are needed to resolve the problem. This course curriculum is provided by WMA. (CPR/AED not included in this clinic)
Date: Monday, February 24th and Tuesday, February 25rd, 2025
Time: 8am - 6pm, both days
Where: Wood Center Conf. E/F
Space: Limited to 12 participants
Instructor: Deb Anjago
20-hour wilderness first aid course. During this course you will get information about first aid in a wilderness context. This includes assessing how serious a medical problem is, if it is fixable in the field, and what kind of evacuation, help or resources are needed to resolve the problem. This course curriculum is provided by WMA. (CPR/AED not included in this clinic)
Date: Friday, 2.28.2025
Time: 9:00am- 5pm
Where: We will meet at Rod's property
Space: limited to 12
Learn the basics of snowmachine riding and field repairs. We'll have an opportunity to ride in a variety of environments and terrains. All machines and riding gear will be provided by the instructor.
Instructor: Rodney Pangborn
Date: Tuesday, 3.04.2025
Time: 11:00am - 11:30am
Where: Bunnel 308
Space: limited to 10
Instructors: Nikki Crenshaw
Date: Thursday, 3.6.2025
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Greuning 309
Space: Limited to 12
Instructor: Becca Whitman and Bethany Graves
ÐÔÓûÉç Risk Management will be providing instruction to help you better understand ÐÔÓûÉç policies and procedures. Did you know the Chancellor needs to approve you having a gun in the field? Do you know what to do if you are bringing a minor in the field or hosting a group a school kids? Are you allowed to have alcohol in the field? How do you explain vehicle insurance to another driver or the police if you are in an accident?
Each participant will be given some great safety equipment for attending. Last year everyone got Bear Spray. This year...we will surprise you
Date: Monday, 4.07.2025
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Where: Outdoor Adventures - SRC 105
Instructor: Sam Stone
We will be covering important aspects of managing a remote field camp. Topics discussed include:
- Food logistics
- Equipment management
- Leadership styles
- Group dynamics
Date: Thursday, 4.17.2025
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Outdoor Adventures - SRC 105
Space: Limited to 8
Instructor: Frank Olive
This clinic will be a introduction to the concepts and techniques of safely traveling on a glacier. The course will present the general principles of glacier travel including; route choices, the anatomy of crevasses, safety and rescue gear, rope work and knots, self-rescue, partner rescue, anchor basics, haul systems, camp selection, and gear management. The course will be presented as a mixture of indoor and outdoor time with mostly hands-on learning.
Date: Thursday, 4.24.2025
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Outdoor Adventures - SRC 105
Space: Limited to 8
Instructor: Frank Olive
This clinic will give folks an introduction to the concepts and techniques of being comfortable and safe in the backcountry. We will cover clothing systems, tents, stoves, water treatment, minimizing impact, student rights in the field, communication, risk management, decision making, and other topics for maintaining comfort and safety in the backcountry. The course will be presented as a mixture of lectures and hands-on activities happening both inside and outside.
Date: May, 13th - 14th. This is a two day training and will be held on consecutive days.
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm, both days.
Where: ÐÔÓûÉç Outdoor Adventures Office (SRC Room 105); classroom and outside
Space: Limited to 10
Instructor: Peter Westley
Classroom instruction followed by hands-on trailering and boat handling in the Chena River. Activities include basic motor troubleshooting, knot tying, all about trailers, life jacket review, jets vs props on outboards, navigation, and more.
Date: May 2025
Bear Safety Intensive: May 14th, 2025
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Bear Safety Refresher: May 21st, 2025
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where: ÐÔÓûÉç- Room TBD
(Additional Classes can be scheduled with Outdoor Adventures)
Space: Limited to 12
Instructor: Alex Beutow
Bear awareness, encounter prevention and appropriate response scenarios discussed. This course goes more in depth and includes practice bear spray scenarios, multi media presentation. Inert Bear spray provided for practice.
Date: May 2025
- Pistol: May 12 and May 19th
- Shotgun: May 13th and May 20th
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm each day
Where: Fox Range. Transportation not included
Space: Limited to 6 students per session
Instructor: Alex Beutow
Guns and ammunition must be provided by the participant.
Please read through the ÐÔÓûÉç Field Firearms Policy
Information for review prior to course time: Planning Document
Date: May 8th & 9th, 2025
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm, both days
Where: Chena and Tanana Rivers. No formal classroom space. Expect to spend the majority of the time in the water with various whiteboard sessions on the riverbank.
Instructor: Sam Stone
Space: Limited to 12 students per session
Anyone who ventures out in environments with moving water will benefit from this course. We'll practice skills such as wading, swimming, throw ropes, mechanical advantage, subject extrication, and knot tying. This course will satisfy American Canoe Association L3 swiftwater technician certification, a valuable training for anyone also seeking to work in paddlesports or safety recreate in a paddlesports medium.