Originally Posted By: pforeman
Thinking outside the box on this one...
Knowledge - take the $30 and go to a CPR/AED/1stAid class or something else like that. I've got an REI store in town and they run lots of short workshops and classes on stuff like exploring the local trails. bike maintenance, and other stuff all on the cheap.

Paul -


You are absolutely correct on this, but I believe that the Red Cross First aid class generally costs more than - by all means do the Advanced level; Basic FA is, well, too basic... Unfortunately, any class designated "wilderness is just code for "expensive," but worth it if you anticipate significant time in the woods. Employers will often pay for this training.

Training is much more important than bright and shiny gear, esp. in FA.
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Geezer in Chief