the great courses living

Outdoor Fundamentals: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Season 1
Transform your next outdoor adventure from “roughing it” in the great outdoors to “smoothing it” in the natural world. Taught by Professor Elizabeth K. Andre of Northland College, these 24 insightful episodes will give you the practical skills you need to set off for the water or the woods.
201924 episodesTV-PG
Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy

Prime membership required

Terms apply

Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - The Call of the Wild

    July 18, 2019
    31min
    TV-PG
    We often think of “roughing it” in the outdoors, or testing our mettle against the forces of nature and depriving ourselves of creature comforts. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this introductory episode, explore some of the many reasons to venture into the great outdoors. Find out how, instead of “roughing it,” you can “smooth it.”
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  2. S1 E2 - Backpacking and Trip Planning

    July 18, 2019
    29min
    TV-PG
    A backpacking trip can be profoundly enjoyable, provided you plan ahead and pack a few necessities (and leave a few non-essentials at home). Learn how to stay hydrated, eat well, take care of your skin, and protect your feet on the trail. Gain a few safety tips for traveling in a group.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  3. S1 E3 - Canoe or Sea-Kayak Camping

    July 18, 2019
    30min
    TV-PG
    Glide into the backcountry or open ocean in style! Paddling is one of the most serene ways to enjoy the natural world, but there are a few perils that come with canoeing or kayaking. From battling waves and weather to staying warm in cool waters, learn how to take on the world’s oceans, lakes, and rivers.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  4. S1 E4 - Campcraft: Selecting and Organizing Gear

    July 18, 2019
    28min
    TV-PG
    You don’t have to spend much time with outdoor enthusiasts to learn it’s all about the gear. From high-tech creature comforts to lightweight innovations, there’s no shortage of ways to outfit your next overnight. What do you really need? How do you balance weight versus convenience? Start building your system of gear in this practical episode.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  5. S1 E5 - Clothing and Footwear for Outdoor Adventure

    July 18, 2019
    25min
    TV-PG
    Investigate the world of shell layers, synthetic materials, insulation, and ankle support to help you maintain a comfortable body temperature, manage moisture, and protect your skin. Whether it’s a multi-day snow hike or car camping in the desert, Professor Andre shows you how to select just the right clothing and footwear for your next outdoor excursion.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  6. S1 E6 - Basics for Wilderness Safety

    July 18, 2019
    26min
    TV-PG
    Lions, tigers, and bears … well, your wilderness adventure might not bring you in contact with a tiger, but plenty of other risks abound, from snakes to stinging insects to, yes, black bears and mountain lions. See what it takes to stay safe on the trail, and how to stay healthy while you’re off the grid.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  7. S1 E7 - Weather Forecasting and Moon Phases

    July 18, 2019
    26min
    TV-PG
    Cold fronts and warm fronts are more than meteorological mumbo jumbo. With a little training, you can look at cloud patterns, know whether rain is on the way, and what type of storm to expect. As you dig into the fascinating world of weather patterns, you’ll learn how to survive lightning, floods, tornadoes, and more.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  8. S1 E8 - Introduction to Navigation

    July 18, 2019
    26min
    TV-PG
    For most of us accustomed to GPS directions and well-marked streets, it can be frighteningly easy to get lost in the woods. In this episode, engage your senses (sight, sound, smell, and feel) to build mental maps of your surroundings. Find out how to measure time and distance on the trail.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  9. S1 E9 - Navigating with Topographic Maps

    July 18, 2019
    29min
    TV-PG
    Topographic maps tell you a great deal about the terrain, details that don’t much matter in the civilized world. Professor Andre teaches you how to read these helpful maps, and then she shows you how to use a compass in sync with your topographic map. With a little practice on the trail or on the river, you may never get lost again
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  10. S1 E10 - Assessing and Managing Risk in the Outdoors

    July 18, 2019
    26min
    ALL
    Risk management affects every aspect of our lives, but it’s especially critical when you don’t have instant access to shelter, medical supplies, and 911. Unpack the nature and likelihood of various risks in the outdoors, as well as our own cognitive biases, so you can make better (and safer) decisions on the trail and off
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  11. S1 E11 - How Emotions Affect Your Decision Making

    July 18, 2019
    27min
    TV-PG
    Life might be much simpler if we were all rational beings who always made highly calculated decisions. Alas, humans are emotional beings, and we make many of our most important decisions by feel rather than by thought. Learn to make better decisions by examining your emotions at play in the great outdoors.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  12. S1 E12 - Selecting a Campsite and Pitching Shelter

    July 18, 2019
    34min
    TV-PG
    As anyone who does it regularly knows, camping is fun. But to make the most of it, you’ll want to set up a good campsite. Find out what makes a good campsite and how to set up a tarp or tent to keep you dry and cozy. This episode comes with a special “bonus instruction” on tying knots to help you secure a tarp.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  13. S1 E13 - Outdoor Kitchen Setup and Safety

    July 18, 2019
    25min
    TV-PG
    Your campsite might not be a gourmet kitchen with all the amenities, but with a few adjustments to your cooking regimen, you can cook some amazing meals outdoors. Survey the best way to set up your campsite kitchen, the basics of stove safety, and how to keep your hands and dishes clean.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  14. S1 E14 - Building a Campfire

    July 18, 2019
    26min
    TV-PG
    Storytelling by a campfire is one of life’s most enjoyable activities, and it’s as old as humanity itself. But building a good fire can separate the amateurs from the pros at the campsite. From gathering tinder to establishing a bed of coals, see what it takes to construct a good fire in the wild.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  15. S1 E15 - Safe Drinking Water in the Wilderness

    July 18, 2019
    27min
    TV-PG
    If you’re out in the backcountry for more than a day, you’re going to need to treat water to make it safe for drinking by removing sediment, bacteria, and other microorganisms that might make you sick. Reflect on your different options for filtering or purifying water, from boiling to chemical treatments, and the pros and cons of each.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  16. S1 E16 - Outdoor Menu Planning and Cooking

    July 18, 2019
    28min
    TV-PG
    Humans survived for millennia without refrigeration, but enjoying a good meal on the trail requires a few adjustments to our modern lifestyle. You’ll want to triangulate your daily calorie needs, the weight of your gear, and the taste of your food. Examine the range of options available for your next trip to the wild.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  17. S1 E17 - Minimizing Your Impact on the Wilderness

    July 18, 2019
    27min
    TV-PG
    Nothing spoils an outdoor adventure faster than stumbling onto a messy campsite or a vandalized forest. Minimizing your impact in the backcountry is part of an unwritten code of courtesy for enjoying the wild. Learn the major principles for being a good steward of the wilderness.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  18. S1 E18 - Hygiene on a Camping Trip

    July 18, 2019
    26min
    TV-PG
    Germs exist in the wild same as they do in civilization, but without running hot water it can be a challenge to keep yourself clean. From shoes to camp soap to disposable wipes, see what gear you can bring and what steps you should take to mitigate the spread of disease. Your body, and your camp mates, will thank you.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  19. S1 E19 - Wilderness First Aid: Handling Emergencies

    July 18, 2019
    32min
    TV-PG
    It’s a good idea for everyone to have at least a basic understanding of wilderness first aid. The “wait-and-see” approach we might take in the front country could be deadly in the backcountry. In this first of two episodes, learn about first aid for the “big three”: circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  20. S1 E20 - Wilderness First Aid: Nonemergency Care

    July 18, 2019
    29min
    TV-PG
    Continue your study of wilderness first aid with a look beyond the “big three” life-threatening concerns. Find out how to make a splint for an injured limb, how to treat an open wound, what to do for burns, and more. Learn a few guidelines for when to hike out and when to call for help.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  21. S1 E21 - What to Do When You’re Lost

    July 18, 2019
    27min
    TV-PG
    A compass is one of the most useful tools on the trip, but only if you know how to use it. See how to get your bearings and travel off trail or over open water with the aid of a compass. Then, travel with Professor Andre to the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota to practice your navigation skills.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  22. S1 E22 - Navigating with a Compass

    July 18, 2019
    28min
    TV-PG
    Getting lost is one of the easiest things to do in the backcountry. Perhaps you wander off the trail to gather firewood, or perhaps you stop paying attention to your map and compass. Whatever the reason, you find yourself lost. What should you do? Keep moving? Call for help? Build a shelter? Learn what to do (and what not to do) in this insightful episode.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  23. S1 E23 - Maintaining and Repairing Your Gear

    July 18, 2019
    26min
    TV-PG
    The right gear makes all the difference in the wild, but only if you take care of it between expeditions. Even the most avid outdoor enthusiasts may neglect to wash their sleeping bags or shake out their tents after a long stint in the bush. Here, Professor Andre offers a checklist of common gear ailments and how to prevent them.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy
  24. S1 E24 - Connecting to the Wild within You

    July 18, 2019
    31min
    TV-PG
    Preparation and caution are important for venturing into the wild, but your outdoor experience is about more than following a checklist and staying hydrated. Whether on water or land, getting outdoors can be breath-taking, as this final episode makes clear. Now, get ready for your own next adventure!
    Free trial of The Great Courses Living or buy

Extras

Bonus

Outdoor Fundamentals: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Outdoor Fundamentals: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Safe

2minTV-PG
Transform your next outdoor adventure from “roughing it” in the great outdoors to “smoothing it” in the natural world. Taught by Professor Elizabeth K. Andre of Northland College, these 24 insightful episodes will give you the practical skills you need to set off for the water or the woods.
Transform your next outdoor adventure from “roughing it” in the great outdoors to “smoothing it” in the natural world. Taught by Professor Elizabeth K. Andre of Northland College, these 24 insightful episodes will give you the practical skills you need to set off for the water or the woods.
Transform your next outdoor adventure from “roughing it” in the great outdoors to “smoothing it” in the natural world. Taught by Professor Elizabeth K. Andre of Northland College, these 24 insightful episodes will give you the practical skills you need to set off for the water or the woods.

Details

More info

Subtitles

None available

Producers

The Great Courses

Cast

Elizabeth K. Andre

Studio

The Great Courses
By clicking play, you agree to our Terms of Use.