Backcountry Rescue Institute, Inc. was established in 2005 and is proud to still be a small operation. In 2009, we became a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Corporation. This means that the money that we make goes back into the corporation to purchase and teach the latest rescue and medical equipment and provide scholarship classes for those that would not otherwise be able to afford to continue their education. We do not wish to make a profit in the pursuit of teaching people the art of medical care and rescue technology. All donations that we receive are used to benefit others, not us. Also, all donations are completely tax deductable.

Our instructors are medical, rescue, and research professionals. They include:

David Ramsey, Owner
David is a Paramedic in eastern Kentucky. He is a lead instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates and enjoys seeing what exotic location he gets to visit in the name of education! As a member of the local Search and Rescue Team, he enjoys hanging off cliffs and working his SAR dog, Indy. He has been teaching unconventional medicine for 10 years.

Hewett Brown
Hewett is a Firefighter/EMT and technical rescue instructor for North Oldham Fire Department. He is a lead instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates and specializes in expedition medicine. He has been teaching unconventional medicine for 9 years.

Gabe Gunning
Gabe is an EMT with NorthStar EMS in eastern Maine but stays active by travelling and teaching. He is a lead instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates and an all around nice guy! He has been teaching unconventional medicine for 7 years.

Ben Dowdy
Ben is a Paramedic with Georgetown/Scott County EMS just north of Lexington, KY and part-time faculty at Eastern Kentucky University. He is a lead instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates. He has been teaching unconventional medicine for 3 years.

Laura Helfman
Dr. Laura is an Emergency Physician somewhere in the Chattanooga area...we think. The fact is, we can't keep up with her travels. Laura became a doc to support her rafting habits. She is a lead instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates. She has been teaching unconventional medicine for...a long time.