SEMINARS MADE POSSIBLE BY:

SWITCHBACK OUTDOOR SAFETY

“Our purpose is to provide education and equipment for those who desire to take the road less traveled. With over 12 years of public safety, 4 years of workplace safety, and 28 years of outdoor experience we strive to give guidance for those who wander. Our goal is to help you explore, have fun, and see new places safely. We will continue to provide equipment reviews, safety philosophies, training opportunities, and SOS gear that we know will enrich your outdoor experience.” – Aaron Paris”

OZARK EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS
SPRINGFIELD, MO
APRIL 8-10, 2022

Workshops are seated on a first come first served basis and are 50 minutes each. No Registration Necessary

Please arrive early and practice social distancing.

ALL CLASSES LOCATED IN BUILDING ACROSS FROM MAIN ENTRANCE
Questions about courses can be directed to Aaron Paris at the Switchback Outdoor Safety booth in the West Hall

Class times subject to change – refer to web page often for most current schedule

The Schedule

Crew Resource Management for Overlanding

FRIDAY 10:30am – 11:20am

Managing your team as a crew is an important skill. The concepts of Crew Resource Management (CRM) were developed by the airline industry and then adopted by our military, hospitals and first responders making them more efficient and safer. In this class we will explore crew management problems finding solutions that will improve the way we communicate and understand each other. This program will help us on our daily drives, but these skills really shine during times of crisis or emergency.

INSTRUCTOR: JOHN HALBROOK

Auxiliary Battery Setup

Friday 11:30am – 12:20pm

Auxiliary battery set ups should not be complicated. Come and see just how simple it can be. In this class you will learn about a few simple tools that you can use to help make your installation electrically sound. You will see one example of a proven auxiliary battery set up. We will also discuss why some setups don’t work like we think they should. We will cover battery charging basics as well as talk about a simple solar solution. In this class We will cover the difference between lithium and AGM batteries. Which one will meet your needs is up to you. Knowledge is power and power is what you are looking for.

INSTRUCTOR: BRAD BRAZELL

First Aid / Trauma

FRIDAY 12:30pm – 1:20pm

Arterial bleeding can result in death within minutes. Those adventuring in the outdoors you can experience many different types of injuries and traumas.

This course will provide training and understanding of how to deal with trauma. Students will get hands on training on:

  • Communication / Planning
  • Tourniquet application
  • Wound packing
  • Chest seals
  • Extraction
  • Gear selection

INSTRUCTOR: AARON PARIS

Family Overland Planning

FRIDAY 1:30pm – 2:20pm

The class focuses on preparedness, planning , training , finding resources to create a family friendly adventure environment. We will discuss how to get the whole family involved in every aspect of planning, cooking, Bushcraft and exploring new experiences. This will reflect on experiences from taking newborn twins thru grumpy teenagers all over the Midwest from the mountains to the beaches in all seasons. As a father of five I’ve definitely learned a few things that can help other parents avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made and have some super successful trips!

INSTRUCTOR: TONY MERRIMAN

Outdoor Eats – Easy Dinners

FRIDAY 2:30pm – 3:20pm

Tired of packaged meals? Hungry for better outdoor recipes? Become the camp kitchen hero with Chef Corso.
He will share fast, easy and tasty recipes ready in 30 min or less. No pre-prep or dehydrating required!

What you will learn:

  • Camp stove basics
  • The best high-flavor ingredients
  • Packing Tips & Tricks
  • Fast, easy and tasty outdoor meal options
  • Dietary restriction modifications

Get outside. Eat well. Share the tasty experience.

INSTRUCTOR: CHEF CORSO

Protecting Your Investment

FRIDAY 3:30pm – 4:20pm

Insurance is not “one size fits all”, especially with the amount of money and time you have tied up in your adventure rig. Most insurance companies have a different set of rules for providing coverage for vehicles taken off-road, depending on the vehicle type. All of your equipment may not be as “covered” as you think. This course is to help familiarize you with what to know to get your vehicle insured properly.

INSTRUCTOR: The Phoenix Insurance

Getting Started in Ham Radio

FRIDAY 4:30pm – 5:20pm

Are you interested in Ham Radio? Not sure where to start?
How does Ham Radio differ from CB radio and GMRS radio? What are the features of each one and which should you choose?

In this course, we will discuss the types of 2-way radio that are most beneficial to use while camping, off-roading, and exploring the outdoors.

INSTRUCTOR: JASON JOHNSTON

Overland on a Budget

SATURDAY 9:30am – 10:20am

We often see the glamorous side of Overlanding. Rigs kitted out with the best gear, laid out to travel miles of trails for days on end. Unfortunately, not all of us can afford those types of rigs or all that gear, at least not in the beginning. This course is designed to help Overlanders of all levels kit their rigs and themselves out without breaking the bank, and maximize what can be done on a budget. Whether you’re new to Overlanding or are looking to pick up some money saving tips, this course is right for you.

INSTRUCTOR: LUCAS ANTES

Off-Road Recovery

SATURDAY 10:30am – 11:20am

This course will outline the safe use of the common recovery tools and equipment. From electric winches, kinetic ropes to traction boards, we’ll discuss safe application and techniques of numerous recovery options.

INSTRUCTOR: BILL WHEELER – I4WDTA TRAINER

GAIA Navigation 101

SATURDAY 11:30am – 12:20pm

An in depth tutorial to navigating the ONF using the Gaia Mapping Platform. Learn how to cross map between the USFS maps and Gaia to find legal and safe routes. Lessons that can be applied to any national forest route planning.

INSTRUCTOR: MATT MCCLELLAN

Wilderness Critical Event Preparedness

SATURDAY 12:30pm – 1:20pm

Circumstances can change quickly while in the backcountry. Understanding SOS’s PPE standard of Plan, Prep, Explore you will learn skills that will set you up for success in times which are less than desirable.

This course will provide training and understanding principles of safe exploration. Students will receive training on:

  • Mindset
  • Communication / Planning
  • Gear prep
  • Vehicle prep
  • Gear selection

INSTRUCTOR: AARON PARIS

Basic Radio Communications

SATURDAY 1:30pm – 2:20pm

This course is designed to help a beginner choose the right method of communications, covering everything from GPS units to ham radio. Aaron will speak about choosing and placing antennas, and propagation. August will mark Aaron’s 30th anniversary as an amateur radio operator, and he has spent nearly 25 years in broadcast/land mobile and the tower industry. Aaron’s goal want is to see people get interested in radio of any sort, and make good decisions so they don’t get frustrated and just give up.

INSTRUCTOR: AARON WINSKI

Amateur Radio Applications in Overlanding

SATURDAY 2:30pm – 3:20pm

Why would I Use HAM radio for Overlanding? HAM is a preferred method because of its long-distance capabilities. A powerful HAM radio can transmit up to 90 miles – and if you can reach a repeater (a radio tower equipped to receive your signal), it can retransmit your signal for much further. In this workshop, we explain the differences and benefits of utilizing the Amateur Radio Channels in Overlanding.

INSTRUCTOR: AUSTIN FRASE

Power Your Lifestyle – Lithium Power

SATURDAY 3:30pm – 4:20pm

An all-encompassing interactive and informational class on Lithium Battery Power. Discussions will be based around Off-Grid Systems, Van & Overland Integrations, as well as Campsite Set-ups. The goal of this class is to translate the science and design of lithium batteries to real world understanding, provide up to date information and insights on the latest technology trends, and leave you with a better understanding of lithium batteries and the solutions they provide.

INSTRUCTOR: LITHIUM BATTERY POWER

Outdoor Eats – Easy Dinners

SATURDAY 4:30pm – 5:20pm

Tired of packaged meals? Hungry for better outdoor recipes? Become the camp kitchen hero with Chef Corso.
He will share fast, easy and tasty recipes ready in 30 min or less. No pre-prep or dehydrating required!

What you will learn:

  • Camp stove basics
  • The best high-flavor ingredients
  • Packing Tips & Tricks
  • Fast, easy and tasty outdoor meal options
  • Dietary restriction modifications

Get outside. Eat well. Share the tasty experience.

INSTRUCTOR: CHEF CORSO

Outdoor Eats – Beyond Oatmeal

SUNDAY 9:30am – 10:20am

Tired of packaged meals? Hungry for better outdoor recipes? Become the camp kitchen hero with Chef Corso.
He will share fast, easy and tasty recipes ready in 30 min or less. No pre-prep or dehydrating required!

What you will learn:

  • Camp stove basics
  • The best high-flavor ingredients
  • Packing Tips & Tricks
  • Fast, easy and tasty outdoor meal options
  • Dietary restriction modifications

Get outside. Eat well. Share the tasty experience.

INSTRUCTOR: CHEF CORSO

Power you Adventure- 12V Systems

SUNDAY 10:30am – 11:20am

Demystifying off-grid power and 12V systems

The content will be around 12V basics:

  • Intro to 12V: alternator power & DC charging
  • Batteries: chemistry, type, and what to choose
  • What does a standard setup look like
  • Understanding Solar – how much solar do I need?
  • Understanding inverters
  • 12V solutions for your adventure

INSTRUCTOR: REDARC ELECTRONICS

Planning A Moab Adventure

SUNDAY 11:30am – 12:20pm

Are you planning a visit to Moab, UT? It can be a busy place! Come and learn some tips and tricks from Travis at Element Outdoors on how to plan the perfect trip, avoid the crowd, and go with confidence. We’ll discuss popular overland routes, permitting, camping options, and public land considerations as well as best practices for safe travel in the Utah desert. Bring any questions you have and be ready for a fun and informative discussion.

INSTRUCTOR: TRAVIS LINDLEY

Safety & Security While Traveling

SUNDAY 12:30pm – 1:20pm

Travel can be an amazing experience. Meeting new people and exploring is the adventure. Being open to these experiences can also lead to risk. In this course we provide guidance on principles and techniques to travel safely.

This course will provide training and understanding of how to deal with inherent risks of travel. Students will learn:

  • Risk types
  • Planning / preparing
  • Mindset
  • Gear security
  • Gear selection

INSTRUCTOR: AARON PARIS