General Health and Safety

               Life in the woods is not necessarily more dangerous than urban life but it does have its own set of rules that must be followed. Rules concerning hygiene, drinking water, fire, animals, etc. will be presented throughout the project. A student can be removed from the project for breaking a safety rule even once. An attitude of caring for oneself, one's teammates and the forests leads to a safe and happy team.  Two members of each team are trained in the basic principles of First Aid. The First Aid team, of experienced campers, is trained in Red Cross Advanced First Aid and Emergency care at a special outdoor Safety and First Aid course taught by Project USE. This team and their equipment are available on all outdoor trips. Nearby hospitals, ambulance services, police departments and Forest Service headquarters are available to help out. Teams are trained in emergency procedures and in safety techniques to avoid accidents. Adults, when not actually with the teams, are at check-points at intervals along the trail ahead of and behind the teams.

              Leave No Trace! In addition to personal safety and cleanliness, the project strictly follows the principle that our trip should make the least possible impact on the New Jersey forests: litter control, care of plants and wildlife, respect for purity of air and water, etc.  

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