Erik Zalewski, MS, NRP, FP-C
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for Rescue. As a preschooler, I was fascinated with TV’s Emergency. I vividly remember Johnny Gauge and Roy DeSoto rescuing victims from car crashes, coal mines and even high tension electrical wires. As a schoolboy, I was addicted to Rescue 911 where I saw how paramedics and firefighters made such a difference in the lives of the people they helped. Although deathly afraid of heights, I imagined myself dangling from a helicopter to scoop someone out of a dangerous situation.
I took my first CPR and First Aid classes as a Boy Scout, and learned how to rescue people in a variety of situations. My first actual life-saving rescue was in a canoe on the Delaware River. I was 14, and had just made Eagle Scout. I provided first aid for serious injuries several more times as both a Scout and as a summer employee of the County Parks Department. It was then that I realized I was destined to be part of something greater than myself. Realizing the potential I had, my supervisor paved the way to getting me more training. I graduated High School at the age of 18 as a New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technician – Defibrillation (EMT-D).
Although I pursued a bachelor’s degree in geology and masters degrees in both hydrogeology and secondary education, I also advanced my career in EMS. I was a Critical Care Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-CC) for over a decade before returning to Stony Brook Universty to become a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP) under the guidance of one of the most recognized names in the profession. Eventually, I became a New York State Certified Instructor Coordinator (CIC) and earned a Career and Technical Education Certification to teach EMS to public school students. Most recently, I completed a Critical Care Paramedic class at the University of Florida and am now certified by the International Board of Specialty Certification as a Flight Paramedic.
Throughout my 30 year career, I have responded to more than 10,000 emergency calls and may have saved hundreds of people’s lives. I have taught various levels of EMS coursework at the Suffolk County EMS academy, Stony Brook University, and the Borough of Manhattan Community College. I continue to work for several EMS agencies on Long Island where I am always practicing and honing my skills. I may not be a doctor, but I am well trusted by several physicians under whose licenses I practice.
My Philosophy
My business is built on three pillars: knowledge, integrity and passion. My family founded Have Dummy Will Travel, Inc. with the intent of giving something back to our community. We wanted to help save lives, and the best way we saw we could do this was to train as many people as possible in both basic and advanced skills.
All of the programs we teach are based upon research, best practices, and evidence-based medicine. I won’t only teach you what to do in an emergency, but I’ll show you why we do it. Knowing that most people forget 90% of a presentation in a few weeks or less, the educator in me seeks to make connections will also help you remember what to do.
I am extremely passionate about what I do, and see this as a tremendous opportunity to extend my knowledge and experience to help give you the confidence and know-how to act appropriately in cases of emergency, or when one of your patients turns critical. For this reason, I believe in having patience while you are learning and practicing these cognitive and psychomotor skills until you have mastered them. I will always sell you a positive learning experience, never just a certification card.
As an educator, I understand that you will thrive in a safe learning environment, filled with respect, patience, and laughter. Therefore, our team will always consist of instructors who, like me, live the life of a professional rescuer. They share the same passion that I do for helping others. They were personally trained by me to create an educational experience that feels safe, supportive, and fun. We believe in meeting you where you are at, instilling the confidence to act, and providing realistic situations to help you to navigate any emergency situation.