Sam founded the school in 2007 in San Antonio. Then we expanded to New Mexico, and now include Texas, S. California, Colorado, and Utah as states we offer on-site trainings in. From the first herb walk for students eager to learn about plants up through online courses we do for everyone from curious herbalists, first-timers to natural medicine, homesteaders to doctors, nurses and first responders … every year our student base becomes more diverse and amazing!
I’m excited to re-introduce more on-site classes this fall. The first one coming up is in October, and it’s the course we’re proudest of. Sam and I are teaching the full Wilderness Herbal First Aid Certification in Redlands, California, October 10th through 12th. Three days, 24 hours of instruction, and a two-year certification card in your hand at the end. If you’re anywhere in Southern California, this is your chance to train with us in person!
People always ask why a wilderness first aid certification is important if they don’t see themselves backpacking the Appalachian Trail or spending time in remote areas. I respond that this remains one of our most important courses, and one that I feel everyone should do. Year after year, we get messages from students who were the first person on the scene at a car accident, or a loved one injured themselves. The confidence of knowing what to do first is one of the great things about learning what to do and how to do it effectively.
In the CA Wilderness Herbal First Aid Certification — We teach this as a conventional 16-hour Wilderness First Aid certification with 8 additional hours of herbal first aid built into it. You’ll cover primary and secondary survey, splinting and bandaging, shock, head injuries, heat and cold injuries, snake and insect bites, and field methods for moving an injured person. Running alongside all of it: wound care and infection management with herbs, herbs for injury, shock and pain, respiratory and gastrointestinal first response, and how to plan and carry what you’ll actually need. Hands-on throughout. Testing is done in teams and on paper. Tuition includes your textbook and a 2-year certification card.
The world is certainly feeling a little unstable right now between natural disasters, food recalls, and tensions rising everywhere. Having some medical piece of mind is an important thing to keep yourself and those you care about safe. I hope to see some of you in Redlands, CA in October! We’ll save a seat for you.