Chris Porter is the Administrative Director and Instructor of CDS Outdoor, Inc. and one of its original founders. He is responsible for the day to day administrative functions of the organization.
Chris started with his wilderness experience as many people did, in the Boy Scouts.
Seeking a mix of his two main interests, Chris joined Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in 1986 and was a member until 1993. Here he specialized in Emergency Services, specifically Search and Rescue. His positions included Ground Team Leader, Ranger Team Commander, Leadership Officer, and Emergency Services Officer.
Chris continued his Search and Rescue experience by joining the Wilderness Emergency Strike Team (WEST) in Lancaster, PA. He is still a member of this organization. It is here that he gained invaluable experience as a WEMT, Rescue Member of the Mountain Rescue Association, and Rope Rescue Technician.
Chris has completed a large number of Search and Rescue classes including Rope Rescue Levels 1-4, Search Responder, Civil Air Patrol Winter Survival Training, CAP Hawk Mountain Ranger School, Wildland Fire Fighting, and is currently certified at a Field Team Member for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Chris started his medical training in the US Army as a Combat Medical Specialist and served in the PA National Guard from 1989 to 2000. He served as an ambulance platoon section leader in a medical clearing company. In this setting, Chris learned a great deal about providing Primary Care in a wilderness setting while providing care to thousands of soldiers. Also, Chris still holds the record for the only one in his unit to roll a Humvee Ambulance.
He became a NREMT in October 1990 and PA EMT in June 1991. Chris completed Pre-Hosptial Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) in 1993. Chris also volunteered for a number of years as an EMT in an urban environment. Chris became a Wilderness EMT in 1996.
In addition to his wilderness, search, rescue, and medical training, Chris has also completed a variety of Disaster Related courses. These include Radiological Monitoring, Mass Care, Damage Assessment, Logistics, Shelter Operations, Liaison, and Family Services. Chris serves as part of the local Disaster Action Team and is part of the American Red Cross National DSHR System.
Chris has worked full time for the American Red Cross of the Susquehanna Valley. He was the manager of the Preparedness Department and oversaw the training of over 55,000 people annually and the management of over 1,600 instructors in a six county area. Chris currently works as a Product Development Manager for InnerLink, Inc. based in Lancaster, PA
Chris was the Platoon Training NCO for National Guard unit. He became an American Heart Association Instructor in 1995, a Wilderness Emergency Medical Services Institute (WEMSI) WEMT Instructor in 1997, and an Emergency Response and then Emergency Response Instructor Trainer for the American Red Cross in 2001.
Chris is one of the founding members of CDS Outdoor, Inc. and helped to establish the corporation in 1998.
Chris has lectured for many groups, organizations, and colleges on the advantages and differences of Wilderness Medicine. He also serves on several Pennsylvania state EMS and local medical advisory committees.
Chris resides with his beautiful and understanding wife and two sons in Lancaster, PA