MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Wendell Adams (Prepared Wanderer) brings more than a decade of hands-on experience in Search and Rescue, having served as a SAR team member, Public Information Officer, Training Officer, and Chief Operations Officer for a volunteer SAR team in Central Ohio. His leadership responsibilities have included operational oversight, training program development, and public communication during critical incidents. Wendell has completed specialized training in rope rescue, swift water rescue, cave rescue, and wilderness first aid, equipping him to operate effectively across a wide range of technical and austere environments. Raised in Iowa, he developed a strong foundation as an outdoorsman and hunter, shaping a practical, experience-driven approach to preparedness and fieldcraft. He is the host of The Prepared Wanderer YouTube channel, where he shares realistic preparedness, outdoor, and self-reliance content for everyday people.

Christopher Z (Z) is a highly experienced wilderness survival instructor with a distinguished career spanning military, emergency services, and public safety operations. A combat veteran, he has also served as a police officer, EMT, firefighter, search and rescue (SAR) team leader, and private security contractor, bringing decades of real-world experience to his instruction. Throughout his career, Christopher has operated in high-risk, austere, and time-critical environments where preparedness, sound judgment, and practical skills were essential. At Prepared Wanderer LLC, he teaches wilderness survival with a strong emphasis on realistic scenarios, disciplined decision-making, and proven fieldcraft.   

Alex Z (Bear) is a professional security and preparedness instructor with a strong background in protective services and emergency response. A graduate of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA), he has experience as a private security contractor and currently serves as an armed security officer for a Central Ohio health system. Alex possesses advanced medical training, including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), equipping him to respond effectively to high-risk and medically complex situations. A lifelong outdoorsman and hunter, he brings practical field experience and a deep understanding of situational awareness, self-reliance, and disciplined decision-making to his instruction. At Prepared Wanderer LLC, Alex applies real-world operational experience to deliver practical, safety-focused training grounded in preparedness and responsibility.