Richard Cook BSN, RN, NAEMT, WEMT

·       Emergency & Trauma RN

·       Advanced EMT

·       TNCC, ACLS, PALS

·       Search & Rescue Technician

·       Single Pitch Instructor (UK)

·       MLTA Trained Mountain Leader

·       UKCC 2 Canoe & Kayak Coach

·       Canoe Lifeguard (UK)

·       National Navigation Award Scheme Instructor (UK)

·       Wilderness EMT Instructor

·       Certified EMS Instructor

·       CERT Team Instructor

·       Stop the Bleed Instructor

Rich fell in love with the outdoors at the age of 5 and has spent far too many nights under canvas ever since. He began prepping at 8, when he built his first survival tin from items liberated from his Dad’s shed. He joined the Boy Scouts as soon as he was old enough, then discovered canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling, and that was it – he never stood at a chance at a normal life. After two years living among Austria’s towering Alps, Rich knew that mountaineering was his destiny, and he pursued every skill course and certification he could find. He soon landed his dream job, sharing his passion for adventurous activities as he lead groups on outdoor education activities and camping trips all over the UK, in every kind of weather you can imagine (but mostly rain).

One of the highlights of these 15 years was always renewing his wilderness first aid certification, and as the years of rain took their toll, Rich’s love for all things medical grew. He became an EMT, then an Advanced EMT, then completed a college diploma in adult education so that he could teach first aid to others. He spent 4 years teaching all over the country, before moving to Utah: a blissful paradise where it hardly ever rains! Finding that UK qualifications are not valid over here, he had to start again: Basic EMT then Advanced EMT, but along the way, he was fortunate enough to work with a phenomenal bunch of nurses, who opened his eyes to a role he had never really seen before. Nursing school called loudly, and after 3 years, a dozen nervous breakdowns and some horrific nail-biting, he graduated with a BSN. He now works at a Level 1 Trauma Center as an ER and Trauma Nurse.