About Us
Don’t Panic LLC is a family-owned business dedicated to preparing responders with knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies with confidence and purpose.
Our journey began in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota, where our passion for wilderness medicine ignited. We take pride in offering top-tier Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness First Aid classes catering to outdoor enthusiasts and professionals alike.
We strive to be a premier training provider for both new and experienced emergency responders, led by passionate, experienced staff who are guided by real-world experience and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Our curriculum is up-to-date and evidence-based, emphasizing hands-on, immersive learning. We continually invest in our instructors’ professional development to ensure they deliver the highest quality training.
The DMM Difference
We are proud to teach Desert Mountain Medicine (DMM) courses and believe they are the highest quality wild med has to offer! Here are a few of the reasons:
Desert Mountain Medicine (DMM) has offered wilderness medicine training for outdoor recreationalists, outdoor professionals, medical professionals, government agency personnel, and industry professionals who operate in remote regions since 1998.
They are a founding member of the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC) and take an active role in determining best practice and industry standards in wilderness medicine.
Their field manual and course curricula are updated regularly to ensure students receive the most up-to-date medical field research and treatment practices.
Lead Instructor
Sam, a native South Dakotan, traded the plains for the mountains and now calls the Black Hills home. With a background in education as a high school math teacher, Sam brings a unique pedagogical approach to wilderness medicine. He seamlessly blends his classroom experience with real-world expertise, making complex medical concepts accessible and engaging. Although public education is behind him, Sam uses his education background and love of wilderness medicine to better prepare people for when the unexpected happens.
Before transitioning to medicine, Sam honed his outdoor skills as a ski patroller. In 2016, he became a WEMT and quickly immersed himself in local emergency services, joining both the ambulance service and search and rescue. His continued dedication to medical education led him to become a paramedic.
Today, as the director of Custer County Search and Rescue and a paramedic for Custer Ambulance Service, Sam applies his wilderness medicine knowledge and skills by responding to emergencies and providing critical care in challenging environments.
When he's not responding to calls or teaching, Sam enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Nora, and two young daughters hiking, biking, rock climbing, and sailing.
Logistics Wizard
Nora is a passionate advocate for outdoor education and safety. With a background in education as a high school English teacher and curriculum director, she brings a strong foundation in instructional design and learner engagement. As a South Dakota volunteer naturalist, Nora shares her love for the natural world and promotes environmental stewardship.
Behind the scenes at Don’t Panic LLC, Nora manages various aspects of the business, including website maintenance, social media, and registration. She is dedicated to ensuring a seamless experience for our students and clients. In her free time, Nora enjoys hiking, camping, backpacking, and other outdoor adventures with her husband, Sam, and their two daughters.