In a powerful example of how training, resilience, and compassion can intersect, Army veteran Adam Hartswick is using his own harrowing experience to teach life-saving skills to new generations of first responders. As a tactical medical instructor with Penn State's Justice and Safety Institute (JASI), Hartswick shares his story with sheriff and deputy sheriff trainees, not to highlight his own sacrifice, but to emphasize the importance of proper emergency medical training—especially the correct use of tourniquets.

Hartswick’s journey from combat medic to instructor is rooted in a traumatic day in May 2013, when he was serving in Afghanistan. While responding to an improvised explosive device (IED) attack that had already injured or killed members of his unit, a second explosion took both of his legs, part of his right hand, and nearly his life. His survival, he says, was due to the training he had received and passed on to others. That training, particularly in the application of tourniquets, is now central to the instruction he provides at JASI.

Tourniquet application training, tactical first aid, and bleeding control are among the key skills emphasized in the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Training Program, which is run by Penn State Outreach. According to Hartswick, the most preventable cause of death in tactical scenarios—whether in combat or in civilian law enforcement—is massive extremity bleeding. The ability to quickly and correctly apply a tourniquet can make the difference between life and death.

“I am not here to toot my own horn,” Hartswick told trainees. “I am here to show that I am alive because of good training and the love of my brothers.” He recounts how, after the explosion, he attempted to apply a tourniquet to himself despite having lost part of his hand. A fellow soldier, already trained in the technique, arrived to assist. Following Hartswick’s instruction—“Tourniquets, high and tight”—the soldier was able to stabilize him until he could be evacuated by helicopter.

What I found striking is how Hartswick transforms a deeply personal and painful memory into a tool for education and empowerment. Rather than focusing on the trauma, he uses it to highlight the effectiveness of preparation and the strength of camaraderie. His message resonates deeply with trainees, many of whom are entering law enforcement with a strong desire to serve and protect their communities.

David White, director of the academy, underscores the impact of Hartswick’s presence in the classroom. “Adam’s story is invaluable to the instruction of the deputies as it relates to tourniquet application,” said White. “It is not only a visual representation of how tourniquets can save your life, but it is a powerful message of resilience.”

That message of resilience is one that Hartswick embodies. After undergoing multiple surgeries and a long rehabilitation, he returned to his hometown of State College, Pennsylvania. He now lives there with his wife and is building a career as a voice actor, while continuing to teach the tactical medical skills that once saved his life. His involvement in first responder training allows him to carry forward the mission that first drew him to military service: helping others.

“As a medic, I could serve my country and help people,” Hartswick said. “That is what a medic does, they help ally and enemy alike. At the end of a fight, if there are survivors, we help them.”

His philosophy extends beyond the battlefield. Hartswick believes that those who choose to work in law enforcement do so out of a deep sense of compassion. “Everything we do in our profession is out of love for our fellow man,” he said. “Nobody is here because they want to fight. Nobody is here because they want to carry a gun. They are here because they want to protect people.”

By sharing his experience, Hartswick not only teaches critical tactical medical skills but also reinforces the values of service, sacrifice, and community care. His story serves as a reminder that behind every uniform is a person committed to the well-being of others. For the trainees at JASI, learning from someone who has lived through the worst and come out stronger is both a lesson in technique and a lesson in humanity.

The integration of real-life experience into first responder training provides a level of authenticity that textbooks cannot replicate. From the battlefield to the classroom, Hartswick’s journey illustrates the importance of preparation, the strength of brotherhood, and the enduring impact of compassionate service.

Read more at psu.edu