Our search and rescue pursuits often put us in harms way. Experience and training help prepare us to make good risk assessments. The following information is assumed to be credible based on the source. Like all information available, the reader is responsible for assigning the weight and credibility it is due.
Washington State Department of Health Public Health Fact Sheet on giardia: http://www.doh.wa.gov/topics/giardia.html
Washington State Department of Health Public Health Fact Sheet on Cryptosporidium: http://www.doh.wa.gov/topics/crypto.html
Washington State Department of Health Public Health Fact Sheet on hantavirus. As of late March 1998, there have been 14 cases in Washington. http://www.doh.wa.gov/topics/hanta.htm
Washington State Department of Health Public Health Monograph and Guide for Washington Physicians about Lyme Disease (there have been cases in Washington and we are again entering tick season.) http://healthlinks.washington.edu/nwcphp/lyme
Current information from the Washington State Department of Health on Hepatitis A and C. http://www.doh.wa.gov/topics/hepafact.html
Knot tying is essential to making rope work. This site has excellent instructional reference links. Grab a length of rope and practice, it seems to have secondary benefits for stress management.http://www.realknots.com/knots/index.htm