How do you prepare yourself for the field season?
Ask a Biologist Monday 4/3/23
Answers from Biologists:
I start doing stair steppers while adding weight to a pack.
Replace any expired medical equipment, batteries.
Test inreach/stat phone.
Update field safety plan.
Getting mentally pumped. Winter doldrums are done!
Go to the dentist, doctor, and fix my car before I don’t have any free time.
My field season is on and off year round so I feel like I’m constantly figuring out my gear.
Patch holes in waders.
Take my car in for maintenance and pack a vehicle emergency kit.
Make sure that my boots and socks are good to go.
Make sure my bills are set to autopay.
Forward my mail to my parents/friend.
Set my email out of office reply.
I start going to the gym and strengthen anything I’ve injured in the past.
Anticipating that I will not be fit at first and adding things to my first aid kit to cope.
I take all the trips I’ve planned, anticipating the 6 months without extra time off.
Learn new skills in the off-season so I’m better prepped than the last season.
Trail running.
Making sure my gear is in good shape for the environment I’ll be in (boots, sun shirts, first aid).
Check/refill my field pack (first aid kit, spare knife, packable rain gear, emergency food, etc.)/
Update and print out my datasheets/data collection programs.
I let my family and friends know I’ll be less available/reachable.
Meal prep with freezable meals for long work days when I get home late.
Inventory all the gear.