HumasUPNVJ — A total of 37 participants participated in the Basic First Aid for Lay Rescuer – Mountain Activities training through the DARSINEM (Aware and Overcome Emergency Conditions) Action at Rinjani Camping Ground, Sembalun, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, on August 10–11, 2026. This first aid training equipped participants to face emergency conditions that can occur during climbing and outdoor activities by utilizing nature as part of the learning process. All participants were declared to have passed the knowledge and skills aspects after following the material, practice, simulation, skills test, and post-test.

Unlike first aid training, which typically takes place in a classroom, the DARSINEM Action combines the concepts of Nature and Environmental Learning, outdoor education, and experiential learning. The Sembalun environment and the Mount Rinjani area are used as learning contexts to help participants understand how terrain, weather, altitude, accessibility, and resource limitations can influence decisions when facing an emergency.

The activity was opened by the Head of the East Lombok Regency Health Office, Ns. Lalu Aries Fahrozi, M.Kep. The support of the local government is an important part in strengthening the community's capacity to face emergency risks, especially in the Sembalun and Mount Rinjani natural tourism areas. The head of the community service team, Dr. Ns. Arief Wahyudi Jadmiko, M.Kep., M.Pd.Ked., then explained the objectives and strategies of the DARSINEM Action in building community-based emergency preparedness.

This program is a collaboration between the Veteran National Development University (UPNVJ) in Jakarta, the University of Mataram, the Dr. Soepraoen Malang Hospital (ITSK), the Mataram Health College (Stikes Mataram), the Mataram Health Education and Training Agency (Bapelkes Mataram), PT Emergency Link, and the Mount Rinjani community "Rinjani Bagus," with support from the East Lombok Regency Health Office. This cross-institutional collaboration brings together university representatives, local governments, communities, and emergency practitioners to strengthen the safety of nature tourism.

Over two days, participants received material tailored to the characteristics of emergencies in mountainous environments. On the first day, participants took a pre-test, introduced to and practiced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), hands-only CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED) use, choking management, and high-altitude sickness. The second day continued with material on animal bite management, trauma, and evacuation techniques before participants underwent a skills test and post-test.

The learning process doesn't stop at mastering first aid procedures. Participants are also trained to observe their environment, recognize potential hazards, assess victims' conditions, prioritize actions, communicate, work in teams, and consider evacuation methods. In this way, the natural environment serves as a living laboratory, enabling participants to encounter problems that approximate real-world situations.

This approach is crucial because providing emergency relief in the mountains presents a different set of complexities than providing assistance in a health facility. Rescuers must consider personal safety, terrain conditions, weather changes, equipment limitations, distance to the health facility, communication, and the time required to evacuate the victim. Therefore, technical skills must go hand in hand with the ability to think critically and make quick and accurate decisions.

Strengthening preparedness is relevant to the risks of climbing Mount Rinjani. Data from 2016–2024 recorded 273 climbing accidents, resulting in 17 fatalities and over 200 injuries. The challenging terrain and high level of climbing activity highlight the importance of early response capabilities before professional assistance can reach the scene.

The training evaluation results showed that all 37 participants met the knowledge and skills standards for first aid in outdoor accidents. This achievement serves as a foundation for the next stage, as participants who meet the competency standards are directed to become DARSINEM cadres. Through the cadre development model, it is hoped that the knowledge gained will not only be limited to the training participants but can also be transferred to community members and residents engaged in activities in natural tourism areas.

The DARSINEM initiative also developed a Community-Based Health Tourism approach, emphasizing health and safety as part of nature-based tourism management. Communities are not only beneficiaries of tourism but are also encouraged to become actors in building destination safety. Universities contribute through knowledge and technology transfer, the government provides support and networking, communities act as drivers in the field, and professional partners strengthen emergency response competencies.

This model is expected to develop through training, mentoring, evaluation, and strengthening networks with the Health Office, Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and search and rescue teams. This way, preparedness will not only rely on professional personnel but also build the capacity of the community closest to the scene and potentially become first responders when an incident occurs.

For UPNVJ, the DARSINEM Action strengthens the role of universities in providing knowledge that addresses real-world problems in society. This direction is consistent with the view of UPNVJ Rector Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, MA, Comm., that universities should not only produce graduates but also provide ideas, research, and innovation that can address challenges. Through collaboration and nature-based learning, the DARSINEM Action is the first step in building a safety culture while supporting the development of safer and more sustainable Mount Rinjani nature tourism.