Wilderness EMT, Rescue, First Responder Courses

Lead Staff


Led by Nadia's infectious enthusiasm, passion, and high standards, DMM staff are well trained, highly qualified, charismatic, and committed to what they do. All lead instructors have a minimum of Wilderness EMT training, generous experience as an outdoor educator or guide, and clinical medical experience. Most importantly, they all have a passion for sharing that knowledge with others.

Nadia Kimmel - Executive Director


WEMT-IV, B.S in Natural Recources Mgt., M.S. in Recreation

Is the driving force behind Desert Mountain Medicine. Frustrated by her initial classroom bound "wilderness medicine course", Nadia envisioned a more experiential wilderness medicine curriculum based in the field, drew up a business plan, and christened it Desert Mountain Medicine. Outside Magazine voted her one of "25 Goddesses Who Rule" in 2003 for her inspired vision in starting the business.

Nadia has worked as an outdoor educator for numerous organizations since 1991, spent many long nights working in the ER in Summit County, Colorado, and has inspired countless Wilderness First Responders and Wilderness EMT's through her dynamic teaching since 1996. She has a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, a Master's Degree in Recreation, and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Wilderness Medicine. She is fluent in French, has borrowed countless climbing racks to go to Indian Creek, and has left graceful telemark tracks all over the western United States, Canada, and South America.

Eric Riley - River Rescue Coordinator


WEMT, B.S. in Recreation and Outdoor Leadership
Or "Riley", as he is known, is the River Rescue Coordinator for DMM and an American Canoe Association (ACA) advanced swiftwater instructor. He teaches swiftwater rescue professional, open water rescue, and wilderness medicine courses. He is the Outdoor Studies Coordinator at Colorado Mountain College and has spent time as a patroller for Copper Mountain Resort. He is also a Fire Corp. member for the Leadville Fire Department and technical rescue team in Lake County, Colorado. When not traveling around the country in his vintage VW bus 'Stevie', Eric can generally be found in the rivers of the West, gainfully employing his former professional throwing arm rowing dories for OARS Idaho. He possesses a gift for jerry-rigging anything mechanical and a wicked dry sense of humor.

Johann Aberger - Lead Instructor


WEMT, B.S. in Kinesiology, M.S. Social Justice
Is a lead instructor for DMM's WFR courses. He is a professor of Outdoor Education at Colorado Mountain College. He received his Masters in Social Justice from Prescott College in his spare time. An accomplished mountaineer and rock climber, Johann has left chalk marks and first ascents all over the western United States.

Sarah Kuhn - Assistant Instructor


WEMT

Mattie Paffenbarger - Assistant Instructor


WEMT

Lynne Allen - Assistant Instructor


WEMT


and finally, our transport and mascot, stevie, during a little R&R in Oregon...