Journalist Sebastian Junger founded RISC in 2011 after his close friend and colleague, acclaimed photographer Tim Hetherington, died while covering hostilities in Libya from wounds suffered in a mortar attack. While Hetherington's injuries were serious, Junger later learned from a combat medic that first aid might have saved his life during the short ride to the hospital. But none of the journalis
ts traveling with him were trained in first aid. Nor are the majority of journalists covering conflict today. We train and equip freelance journalists in all media to treat life-threatening injuries on the battlefield. Freelancers comprise the vast majority of those who cover wars, and consequently make up the vast majority of deaths and injuries. Surviving a gunshot or shrapnel wound is often a matter of doing the right thing in the first few minutes, and RISC's training focuses on that brief, critical period of time. It is our hope to make first aid training the industry norm - like having a flak jacket or sat phone - and to prevent unnecessary deaths in a job that is so vital to human dignity and human rights. RISC is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more or make a donation, visit us at www.risctraining.org. We're also on Twitter .
