Field Safety Training Guide

Revised: 03 May 2022

Fieldwork is a rewarding and integral part of many undergraduate and graduate research projects at Austin Peay State University. It is also conducted in environments that present real risks — remote locations, limited communication, and physical demands. The best preparation any field researcher can bring is a solid safety plan and the training to follow it.

This guide was developed by Biology faculty Dr. C. Haase (Field Safety Training) and Dr. C. Gienger (Working With Venomous Snakes) to help Principal Investigators and their teams prepare for safe and effective fieldwork. While not exhaustive, it covers key protocols, hazard identification, emergency response, and pre-field checklists.

Field Safety Training

Preparedness is Key

Many emergencies are the result of poor planning, lack of leadership, or breakdown of communication. There are many things that a field team can do to prevent common emergencies.

Know Where You Are Going

Spend time looking at maps of your field site and map out a proper route the limits safety hazards. Plan your route on foot and make sure to have an extra map of the area with you in your pack. Determine the nearest medical center that has the specific medical equipment you may need (e.g. rabies shots, barometric chamber, etc.); record their telephone number. Account for more time than you estimate your work to take; it is always better to be done early than to be running late in the field.

Prepare for Your Work Activities and Weather

Understand the activities that comprise your field work and make sure you have proper personal protection equipment and attire for these activities. Know the weather of your field site and prepare your field clothing accordingly. Personal protective equipment appropriate for specific work may include:

Identify Potential Hazards

Once hazards are identified, you can plan to mitigate them and be prepared in case of an accident in the field. Hazards may include, but are not limited to:

Check the culture of the community surrounding field site: determine the potential for harassment for black, indigenous, and people of color and those of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Check your Emergency Gear

Check that you have all the equipment listed in the first aid and emergency gear check lists, plus specialized safety gear for your activities/area and hazards identified. For instance, if you work in extreme conditions, you may add a sleeping bag to your emergency kit. Make sure your first aid kit is refreshed and contains items that are not expired. Check that the spare tire is full and the car jack fits the field vehicle. Check the weather and bring appropriate clothing. Bring more water than needed!

Conversations to Have Before Starting Field Work

While in the field, situation may arise that may make field work uncomfortable or even dangerous for some members of the team. Before you leave for the field, it is important to have conversations about specific topics to make it easier to have working relationships with all team members.

Reminder: The use of alcohol and drugs in the field is dangerous and prohibited by APSU Policy 7:005 and Policy 3:006.

How to Do Your "Business" in the Field

The best way to take care of business while in the field is to follow the Leave No Trace protocol: Find a spot 200 feet from water sources and trails, dig a small hole six inches deep, and poop in it. Clean yourself up with rocks, pinecones, sticks, leaves, or toilet paper. If you use natural elements, bury them in your hole. If you use toilet paper, carry it out with you, and bury everything else using the dirt you originally dug out of the hole. Carry a trowel to make digging a hole easier.

Dealing with Menstruation in the Field

Above all, while you're out on the field take care of yourself and stay clean. Store your menstrual products properly and wash your hands frequently. If you prefer, use sanitary wipes to help keep yourself clean — just be sure to carry those out with your used supplies. Once you reach civilization, dispose of your used sanitary items properly. By keeping an eye on cleanliness you'll help avoid vaginal and urinary tract infections. You can store menstrual products before and after use in an opaque plastic bag for privacy. Make sure to have one bag for clean items and another well-marked waste bag for used ones. Store used ones inside and add dry tea bags or crumbled aspirin to control the scent. If you're in bear country or in another area with wildlife issues, you'll need to place this bag in the container holding your food and other scented items overnight so that you don't have odors drawing wildlife toward your tent.

How to Work in the Field with Others

A field researcher must also be an effective risk manager who understands and anticipates risks and acts appropriately to reduce the likelihood of negative consequences. An effective field leader must incorporate many attributes of leadership including preparation, competency, effective communication, appropriate judgment, self and group awareness, and tolerance for adversity and uncertainty. Develop open communication within a field team while in the field to prevent issues from arising between members and to allow members to be honest with their working capacity. Maintain safety culture: point out hazards to the rest of your team members, such as a hole in the ground or holding a tree branch for the person walking behind you. Check in with your team members regularly.

A Note on Gender, Sexuality, Race, and Field Safety

Beyond field safety, emotional safety can also be an important component to field work. Remote field work can put people into situations where they are alone with a single other person or placed into communities outside their comfort zone. It is important for each field team member to be aware of their situations as well as everyone else's situation when it comes to harassment from other field team members or from members in the local community. Harassment can include "sexual harassment" or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person's sex. Be clear about expected and unacceptable behaviors. Avoid jokes, sarcasm or insulting remarks about individuals or groups of people, whether or not they are represented on the team. Use inclusive language. Ask for pronouns. If someone feel uncomfortable, be clear that the field team is a community and welcomes everyone, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community and black, indigenous, and other people of color. Please review APSU Policy 6:001.

Recommended Training

It is recommended that AT LEAST one field team member have first aid and wilderness first aid training, though it benefits the entire team if everyone has some sort of training. A list of recommended trainings is below, but may include other necessary training depending on the research. Check for First Aid and CPR Training available on campus.

While in the Field

While performing fieldwork, there are a few 'rules' to follow for the safety of all team members.

• Never work alone: use the buddy system! You should never be alone in the field. If you get separated, retrace your steps, back to the start point if necessary, until you find your group.

• Don't be a hero: know your limits and know when to take breaks. It is never worth it to push yourself for data. Also make sure to maintain a comfortable environment so that other team members do not feel embarrassed if they need to take care of themselves.

• Wear proper PPE. Wear sunscreen (and REAPPLY). Wear insect repellent.

• Be wary of your surroundings and animals in the area. Understand the signs of a dangerous situation and how best to avoid them. Avoid risky behaviors (no parkour, please).

• Drink more water than you think you need. And then drink some more.

• Keep all garbage in closed containers and away from where you're working/camping to avoid issues with bears.

• In areas where biting insects are problematic, wear long pants and long sleeves. Tuck your pants into your boots or socks. Wear an insect repellant, like DEET, on your clothing (do not apply directly to skin). Know how to remove a tick and how to use an epi-pen.

What to Do If an Emergency Arises

Here we outline established protocols for first aid reference, but in no way is this a replacement for maintaining current first aid certification.

Life-Threatening Injuries or Illness

Call 911 or seek medical care immediately. Always know your physical location; everyone in your group should be able to provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) accurate directions to the field site.

Basic First Aid

By administering immediate care during an emergency, you can help an ill or injured person before EMS arrive with these first aid steps adapted from the American Red Cross:

1. Check the Scene:

   Before administering care to an ill or injured person, check the scene and the person. Answer the following questions:

   1. Is the scene safe to enter?

   2. What happened?

   3. How many people are involved?

   4. What is my initial impression about the nature of the person's illness or injury?

   5. Does the person have any life-threatening conditions or severe, life-threatening bleeding?

   6. Is anyone else available to help?

2. If the injured person is awake and responsive:

   • Obtain consent: Tell the person your name, type and level of training, what you think is wrong and what you plan to do, and ask permission to provide care.

   • Use appropriate PPE.

   • Interview the person: Gather more information about signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, medical history, last food or drink and events leading up to the incident.

   • Conduct a head-to-toe check: Check head and neck, shoulders, chest and abdomen, hips, legs and feet, arms and hands for signs of injury.

   • Provide care consistent with knowledge and training according to the conditions you find.

3. If the injured person appears unresponsive:

   Shout to get the person's attention, using the person's name if it is known. If there is no response, tap the person's shoulder or the bottom of the person's foot and shout again, while checking for normal breathing. Check for responsiveness and breathing for no more than 5-10 seconds.

   • If the injured person is breathing:

     • Send someone to call 911 and obtain an AED and first aid kit.

     • Proceed with gathering information from bystanders.

     • Conduct a head-to-toe check.

     • Roll the person onto their side into a recovery position if there are no signs of injury.

   • If the injured person is NOT breathing:

     • Send someone to call 911 or the designated emergency number and obtain an AED and first aid kit.

     • Ensure that the person is face-up on a firm, flat surface such as the floor or ground.

     • Begin CPR (starting with compressions) or use an AED if one is immediately available.

     • Continue administering CPR until the person exhibits signs of life, such as breathing, an AED becomes available, or EMS or trained medical responders arrive on scene. Note: End CPR if the scene becomes unsafe or you cannot continue due to exhaustion.

Preparation Checklists

Field Team Documentation Forms

Before heading into the field, every team member should complete the required documentation. The forms package includes:

• Personnel Information — name, contact, allergies, medications, and insurance for each team member

• Local Emergency Services — medical, law enforcement, and fire contacts for each field location

• Emergency Contact Form and Field Plan — who is going, where, what activities are planned, when you'll be back, and who to call if you don't check in

Download the forms and fill them out before your departure. Make two copies — leave one with your faculty supervisor so they know where to find your team and when to contact emergency services if you don't check in, and carry the second copy in the field at all times.

Download Field Team Safety Information Forms