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Scott Fitterman

Outdoor Skills Expert

Scott Fitterman is an Outdoor Skills Expert and the Co-Founder of TrailBound Project, a hiking and backpacking school headquartered in Ringwood, New Jersey. TrailBound Project offers hiking and backpacking courses, trips, and outdoor adventure challenges for all skill levels. Scott is also a Search and Rescue Officer, Instructor, Mountain Rescue Unit member, and certified as a Wilderness First Responder EMT. Leveraging his extensive expertise, Scott leads treks in the backcountry across the Northeastern US.

Education

  • BS in Finance, University of Maryland

Professional Achievements

  • Co-founder of TrailBound Project, a hiking & backpacking school
  • Deputy Chief of New Jersey Search and Rescue
  • Lieutenant & EMT for Ringwood Ambulance Corps

Certifications & Organizations

  • National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Initial Actions and Managing the Lost Person Incident (MLPI) Instructor
  • NASAR Introduction to SAR, Fundamentals of SAR, & Advanced SAR Instructor
  • NASAR SARTech III, II, & I Lead Evaluator
  • NASAR Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Fire Rescue, and Wilderness EMT Instructor
  • American Safety and Health Institute CPR, Basic Life Support, Wilderness First Aid, Emergency Medical Responder Instructor
  • National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) & New Jersey EMT
  • Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Public Safety Diver & Divemaster
  • New York State Licensed Hiking/Camping Guide
  • Catskill 3500 Club Member# 3981

Favorite Piece of Advice

Outdoor knowledge and skills are both perishable and ever-evolving. We must never stop learning, practicing, sharing, and being open-minded. It is by sharing what we know with others that will cement our own knowledge. It is by others sharing with us that we may grow.

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Q&A Comments (2)

How do I scare bears away?
It's easier said than done, but really, don’t panic. Stay calm and let the bear know you’re there by using a loud but steady voice. Raise your arms or hold up your walking stick to look big and strong. Don’t scream or throw things right away because that can make things worse. Start calmly and get louder if the bear keeps coming closer. It’s a great idea to carry an airhorn when you’re in bear country. It’s small, super loud, and works from far away. Air horns work better than bear spray because you don’t have to wait until the bear is really close to use it. If the bear doesn't go away, you have to stand your ground, keep talking in a strong, big voice, and be ready to fight if it comes at you. Use anything you have, like your fists, sticks, or rocks, to hit its eyes or nose. Make the bear think you’re not worth the trouble. But if you accidentally surprise a bear, especially a mother with cubs, things will be different. You have to drop to the ground, keep your backpack on, curl up like a ball, and cover your neck and head with your hands. The bear is only attacking because it feels scared or thinks you’re a danger to its babies. Once you stop moving and seem less like a threat, the bear will usually leave.
Do bear attacks often happen?
Bear attacks on humans are very rare, and most bears prefer to avoid people entirely. In fact, there’s only been one recorded case of a fatal bear attack in New Jersey. In that situation, a group of five people ran in different directions when they saw the bear, which triggered its instinct to chase. This shows why it’s so important not to run if you encounter a bear. To keep bears away in the first place, make sure they know you’re there. Bears don’t like surprises, so making noise as you move through an area can help. If you’re hiking alone, you might be quieter than you think. Every few minutes, clap your hands or call out something like “Hey, bear!” to alert any nearby wildlife to your presence. If you’re with a group, your conversation is usually enough to warn them off.

Co-authored Articles (30)

How to Get Out of Quicksand (It’s Not Like the Movies!)

Plus, learn how dangerous quicksand actually is & where it formsYou're hiking alone in the wilderness, lost in your thoughts, when suddenly you find yourself trapped in quicksand and sinking fast. Certain muddy death? No...

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Read a Map

If your GPS is on the fritz and you need to know how to get from point A to point B without getting lost, there’s no need to admit defeat by stopping to ask for directions. Just pull out your trusty map! Whether you’...

How Good Are My Survival Instincts Quiz

Let’s say you’re stranded on a desert island, or lost somewhere in the woods, or even just that your car broke down in the middle of nowhere. Would you be able to survive? Or would your instincts lead you astray? An...

How to

Do a Two Person Arm Carry

There are several versions of the two-person arm carry, a technique that can be used to transport an injured person to safety in the event of an emergency. You can do a simple crutch carry, carry someone from the side, o...

How to

Find the Big Dipper

Plus, where and how to find the Little Dipper & Ursa MajorThe Big Dipper is perhaps the most famous grouping of stars in the sky. It is part of a bigger constellation of stars called Ursa Major or the Big Bear, and it fe...

How to

Spot the North Star

Over the centuries, humans discovered that the North Star can function as a guiding point towards the directional north. Being able to find the North Star is a great survival skill, but spotting it can also be a fun acti...

Navigating by the Stars: Find North, South, & More

A beginner-friendly guide to celestial navigation Before the GPS or the compass, your main means of finding your way was star navigation. Although today’s technology makes finding your way easier, it’s still fun to l...

How to

Make a Compass

The magnetic compass is an ancient navigational tool used to indicate the four cardinal directions: north, south, east and west. It's composed of a magnetized needle that aligns itself with the earth's magnetic field to ...

How to

Determine True North

Did you know that most compasses don't actually point to the North Pole? It's true! In fact, most compasses point in the direction of ''magnetic north'', a spot in the Arctic that is near to (but not the same as) the Nor...

How to

Make a Wigwam

A wigwam is a type of Native American dwelling, primarily used by the Algonquin Indians. Often mistaken for a teepee, a wigwam is actually quite different. While a teepee is pointed, portable, and made from hides, a wigw...

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Survive a Fast River Current

Swimming in lakes, rivers, and streams can be safe at designated swimming areas that are protected by lifeguards. However, drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the U.S. More skills and...

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Measure Distance on a Map

Maps provide you with an accurate picture of a geographic area so you can determine how far it is from one place to another. Maps provide a fractional scale that tells you the ratio between the distance on the map and th...

How to

Chop Wood

Many people look at the sharpened wedge at the end of a handle and think there's nothing to chopping wood. You simply take your axe in hand, bring it up over your head, and swing, right? Without the right form, you might...

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Make a Camping Toilet

For many people, one of the roughest aspects of camping is going without the comfort and familiarity of a modern toilet. However, if you’re out in the boonies without a toilet in sight, don’t fret; you can easily mak...

How to

Give Directions

Whether you’re telling someone how to get to your house or guiding a stranger to a local museum, you should know how to give good directions. Giving directions, though, is more complicated than just telling someone how...

How to

Escape from a Bear

Bears are among nature's most majestic creatures, and seeing one in the wild is an unforgettable experience. Get too close, however, and your encounter with a bear can be more terrifying than awe-inspiring. Fortunately, ...

How to

Paddle a Canoe

With its slim, tapering design and open top, the canoe hasn't changed much since its invention by the indigenous people of North America, yet it's still one of the most popular boating choices for casual paddlers and ser...

How to

Survive Animal Attacks

If you frequently spend time in nature—regardless of the type of climate—you may be at risk for animal attack. The strategy you should take to defend yourself from an attacking animal will vary based on the animal yo...

How to

Keep Bears Away

If you live, work, or play in bear country, it's important to keep yourself safe. Strongly scented items, such as food or garbage, should be kept away from your campsite, vehicle, and home. However, if you do meet a bear...

How to

Build a Natural Shelter in the Jungle

If you’re lost or staying out in the jungle, a shelter is important if you want to stay dry and safe from the elements. Even if you don’t have any tools, you can work with the natural resources around you to make a s...
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