Field Trip Supplies

By Mickey Cecil

With the addition of new members, the age of old members, and the increase in field trips with the Dixie Mineral Council, I thought a list of what I consider important field trip items would be appreciated. This will not be a complete list of items that may be necessary on any particular field trip, so each individual should include any necessary items that would make their trip safer, more comfortable and productive. Safety, clothing, equipment and personal items are the four categories that I have listed.

SAFETY

1. Common Sense

2. Water

3. Personal medication-(Tums, aspirin, decongestants, blood pressure medications, etc.)

4. First Aid Kit- soap, antiseptic, bandages, antihistamines, hydrocortisone, antibiotic cream, knife, scissors, etc.

5. Eye Protection (protection from flying debris and UV rays)

6. Appropriate clothing

7. Sunscreen / Bug Spray

8. Cell Phone

9. Electronics (walkie-talkies, GPS, etc)

10. Hard Hats

11. Blanket

CLOTHING

1. Appropriate Footwear- Boots (steel toe), Hiking Boots, Rubber Boots (even sandals may be appropriate)

2. Gloves

3. Appropriate Clothes w/ a change of clothes (layered clothing for the cold and long pants are usually necessary)

4. Hat

5. Knee Pads

6. Towel

7. Water

EQUIPMENT

1. Maps / Field Trip Info / Watch

2. Hammers (size and type dependant on the type of rock)

3. Chisels (ones with hand guards are well worth the extra couple of bucks)

4. Backpack

5. Buckets, cloth bags, small containers, zip lock bags (please do not use plastic grocery shopping bags)

6. Newspaper / toilet paper (for wrapping fragile specimens)

7. Picks, Shovels, Pry Bars

8. Cart

9. Water

Most tools can be found at hardware or home improvement stores and even flea markets. Wooden handles are fine for digging and scratching tools but are not appropriate for rock hammers.

PERSONAL ITEMS

1. Water

2. Food / Drinks-sports drink with electrolytes are helpful

3. Flashlight

4. Camera

5. Chairs / Camping equipment

6. Trash Bags for trash and dirty clothes

7. Toilet Paper

8. Car Tools (tool kit, duct tape, tow strap, etc)

9. Toiletries

Again, not all of these items will be necessary for every field trip. I used the word “appropriate” several times. Sandals and shorts are appropriate for collecting fossils on Fernandina Beach, but they are not appropriate when collecting in any type of mining area. Also, if you are going to the beach to collect shark teeth, only a few of the above items may be necessary (water, sunscreen and food). However, if you are going to Graves Mountain for three days of collecting, then you may want to bring all and more.

As with anything in life, the first concern is safety. Common sense cannot be replaced. Bring it along and use it at every opportunity. A life is too much to pay for any rock. Please notice, water is included in all four categories. It is that important!!! If going into the field with a friend, always inform someone of where and when you are going and when you will return. Never go alone! If going with a group, never leave the group without informing someone. Most accidents that I have witnessed have been to the head, hands, ankles, and feet. For the head, protect the eyes and be careful to avoid falls. For the hands, use chisels with guards and wear gloves. Ankles and feet can best be protected by wearing steel toe boots that support the ankles. While protecting yourself, it is also important to be safe around your fellow rockhounds. Never collect rocks above a fellow rockhound. Falling rocks can be fatal!! While on a field trip, do not honk your automobile’s horn to say “hello” to someone. Honking is generally a signal that someone is in need of help. Giving assistance to anyone seriously injured is required for all field trip participants, so honking your horn disrupts everyone’s fun. Walkie-talkies and cell phones can often provide communication for safety issues as well as for organizing activities. The last safety issue to consider is nature. Always be aware of your environment. Defense mechanisms in plants and animals can be very debilitating. Avoid poisonous plants. All animals can bite or sting, so avoiding them is a wise precaution. Again, this is only a partial list of things to take or do on a field trip. I’ve stressed safety because no one has fun when someone is injured.

Last but not least, be sure to have fun. When collecting, it is easy to get lost in the hunt. Be sure to enjoy the scenery, the camaraderie, the “free” time, and of course your finds.