Are you looking for an EMT program that goes beyond the classroom? Our intensive program, based in scenic Custer, South Dakota, combines the gold standard of wilderness medical education with a comprehensive urban EMT curriculum, all in a single, focused 3-week session. Get certified faster and become a more versatile provider, prepared for any emergency, whether on a city street or deep in the backcountry.

Today’s blog is a powerful account of a time that wilderness medicine skills helped to save a life, written by a former Don’t Panic student. Emily took our Desert Mountain Medicine Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course Custer, SD in May 2025 and put her new skills to the test a few months later on a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters. Her experience is a perfect example of why medical training is so vital, and we couldn't be more proud of her.

At Don't Panic, we're not just wilderness medicine and emergency response instructors; we're a part of this landscape. That's why we're so proud to announce our commitment to 1% for the Planet.

Don't Panic LLC offers wilderness medical training courses in the Black Hills. Learn what to do if you get lost, including crucial tips from Custer County Search and Rescue director and Don’t Panic instructor/owner Sam Smolnisky. Prepare for your next adventure and 'Respond with Confidence

In wilderness medicine, book smarts are only the beginning. You need to be able to think on your feet and make critical decisions under pressure. That's why we use moulage in our Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and other courses.

Think Wilderness Medicine is just for 'the backcountry'? ⛰️ Think again!

At Don't Panic LLC, we understand that 'wilderness' can be anywhere with delayed medical care.