Wilderness Survival is the Outdoor Pursuits Program's entry or "gateway" course. It is designed to prepare you for participation in a wide range of outdoor pursuits activities, and is a prerequisite to participation in our wilderness and backcountry courses.

OBJECTIVES
The Outdoor Pursuits Program emphasizes safe and responsible participation in outdoor activities. Upon completion of this course, you
should be able to:

• Identify the main mechanisms of heat loss and gain and maintain comfort during activity in adverse weather conditions.

• Demonstrate the ability to read a topographic map, specifically: Interpret topographic map description and designations, use the map's scale to measure distance, read contour lines, recognize landform features, and estimate elevation gains and losses.

• Demonstrate the ability to perform basic map and compass skills, specifically: measure and plot bearings on a topographic map.

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic backcountry safety and survival skills, including trip planning considerations, equipment selection, outdoor travel and survival skills, encounters with wild animals, and what to do if lost.

• Explain the general effects of altitude illness on human performance.

• Describe the direction of the common Pacific Northwest storm tracks and the influence of Oregon topography on precipitation patterns. Describe the appropriate steps for maximizing safety during a lightning storm.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the causes, prevention and treatment of cold injuries (hypothermia and trench foot), heat injuries,dehydration, heat exhaustion), and sun injuries (sunburn and snowblindness).

• Explain the nutrition and hydration requirements necessary for a safe and enjoyable backcountry experience. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using chemicals, boiling and filtration as methods for treating backcountry water sources.

• Describe the backcountry ethics associated with leave no trace (LNT) travel and camping. Identify the major impacts resulting from human use of wilderness and backcountry areas, and describe methods for minimizing these impacts.

• Describe the management focus of the four federal agencies responsible for managing wilderness and backcountry recreation lands.