Scott Fitterman
Outdoor Skills Expert
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
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Co-authored Articles (26)
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...
How to
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...
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
Know When Ice is Safe
Walking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing (with or without a car), cross-country skiing, skating, and playing sports are dangerous pastimes when you don't know how to tell if ice is thick enough to withstand weight...
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...
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
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...
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...
How to
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
Live in the Woods
Living in the woods, surrounded by nature, is a fantasy of many city dwellers. Running the rat race day after day, dealing with traffic, crime, and pollution -- it's easy to romantically imagine a life more serene. Thro...
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
Pack for a Field Trip
Field trips are an exciting chance to learn outside of the classroom. They’re even more fun if you’re fully prepared for them. Fortunately, you can pack for a field trip to make sure you’re ready for any and everyt...
How to
Live in the Wilderness
John Muir once said, "Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity." Does anyone need more of an explanation than ...
How to
Swim in Cold Water
Swimming in cold water can be an exhilarating and exciting activity. It can also be dangerous, so it’s important to do it right. As a note, you’ll need to wear the proper gear if you’re swimming in water under 70�...
How to
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
Fend off a Mountain Lion
If you ever find yourself in a dangerous encounter with a mountain lion, it's best to be prepared, especially if you live in an area that is home to big cats. This article will give you information on how to protect your...
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...
