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It's been said countless times by every geology professor, "Out in the field is where you
really learn things." Within that simple statement are the
implications that classroom training can only take a person so far, that
the outdoors are very unforgiving to the ill prepared, and that wonderful
opportunity awaits...
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Doing field research is not only academically challenging, it also
demands a certain physical rigor, knowledge of basic
outdoorsmanship,
adequate
gear, and well-preparedness to say the least. How one
prepares for the field, the choice and quality of gear used, one's
background
skills, knowledge of a given field area and emergency back-up planning
WILL make a difference in the quality and quantity of work done. |
Most universities today train their students quite well in the details of a given
specialty but in the case of outdoor research there is a stark shortcoming
-- the necessity of outdoorsmanship with regard to field research.
Few institutions inform their students of the numerous dangers to be found
on a typical outdoor field trip let alone a major research expedition
overseas. Rather, they send their protégé into field with whatever
experience each individual already has assuming this will be sufficient to
counter the
threats of poisonous plants and snakes, wildfires, cyanide
guns, bear traps, and so on. In my opinion as an
experienced professional rescue
worker, this is in essence, a failure to exercise due regard. |
Be informed and
careful, but not afraid. |
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"80% of what we
train for never happens."
Jim Oberg
former NASA engineer |
Though the practice of field research is inherently dangerous, one may
greatly offset any such risk by being informed and adept.
This nonprofit site is aimed at the practice of geology in the field
and is targeted mainly
at undergraduate and graduate students of geology. However, the
broad nature of the information presented herein is applicable to any
occupation or activity involving the outdoors.
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