“ Honestly, that’ s a really dangerous part of what we do as first responders. The call comes out, we’ re amped up and we get in these vehicles that have lights and sirens on them, and that’ s where there’ s a lot of risk. So I enjoy teaching these courses because it gives first respond ers a healthy respect of those risks and gives them tools where they can respond and get there and not risk getting injured or causing undue harm to others,” said Sam.
All of the course information can be found at dontpanicsd. com. As the primary instructor of Don’ t Panic, Sam often schedules courses and tailors the curriculum to fit the needs of others.
“ It’ s great to be able to help out, especially first responder organizations where they’ re struggling to find training in this specific thing. If I can do it, I’ m going to make sure it happens,” said Sam.
“ It’ s not this cookie-cutter,‘ This is my curriculum. Whether it applies to you or not, I’ m going to force it down your throat.’ No, it’ s what do you want to learn? What scares you? What are you anticipating you might see? That’ s the stuff that I want to educate people on and give them a chance to practice it in a controlled, safe environment. Then, if and when it does happen, they’ re like,‘ Hey, I’ ve actually done this before. I practiced this. I know what to do,’” Sam continued.
Don’ t Panic is growing too. A few other DMM instructors have helped Sam teach courses, and he is working on hiring an instructor to help teach the wilderness medicine courses.
“ I want to continue to serve the population in the Black Hills. That’ s where I feel it is really important to get people trained, because we have a beautiful place to play and recreate, but it can also be severe, and it can be harsh and things can happen,” said Sam.
Slowly but surely, more people are receiving medical training, the business is expanding, new training sites are developing and the mission of Don’ t Panic will continue to grow.
“ Being able to teach people where they could potentially save someone’ s life is incredibly rewarding. It’ s a lot of work to do the instruction. They’ re long days or long weeks. It’ s not an easy job, but it’ s fun, it’ s rewarding and it’ s really meaningful. So I’ m going to continue,” said Sam.
For more information, contact Sam at info @ dontpanicsd. com or 605-951-8102.
Lead instructor and owner, Sam Smolnisky, breaks down complex topics like spinal injury management using clear, expert-driven instruction to maximize student comprehension. Photo courtesy of Don’ t Panic myblackshillscountry. com Down Country Roads
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