2024 Annual Report

At Backcountry Medical Guides, we believe every skill taught, every lesson learned, and every life saved is part of a larger story—one of resilience, readiness, and a shared commitment to adventure well. The impact of our work isn’t just measured in numbers; it’s reflected in moments where training meets real life, where preparation becomes action, and where confidence turns into courage.

A recent email put this into perspective. A student from our Advanced First Aid for Mariners course found themselves in a situation no one expects—a choking emergency at a dinner gathering. They wrote us:

“Thanks to your training, I recognized the severity of the situation immediately—something I wouldn’t have understood before your class. I performed the Heimlich maneuver just as we practiced. At first, I wasn’t forceful enough, but I remembered your advice: make it count on the first try. On the second attempt, I gave it my all, and it worked… I truly believe your training saved her life.”

This is why we do what we do. This year, we trained more than 1,000 students across 80+ programs, coordinated 45 instructors at 28 course sites, and expanded our reach to the East Coast. But beyond the numbers, we grew in immeasurable ways—navigating team transitions, launching an ambitious boat remodel, and sharpening our vision for the future.

Our impact is not just about the skills we teach but about the lives changed by those skills. Every student trained becomes part of a ripple effect, creating safer communities and more capable adventurers. This work is only possible because of the people who believe in it—you. Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and making a difference—one life at a time.

—John Taussig
BMG Executive Director