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Wilderness Herbal First
Aid Certification

The Herbal First Aid Certification course is a crash course in herbal medicine. This action-packed course covers wilderness first aid techniques as well as education to prepare students to successfully rely on plant medicine- using plants found in the local ecosystem as well as self-prepared herbal medicine from around the world. Topics will be covered via practical drills, simulations, herbal medicine making, botanical identification in the field, and a combination of classroom and hands-on learning. This course is taught by professional instructors with significant clinical patient care and backcountry experience alongside a master clinical herbalist with extensive client-care, foraging experience, herbal-medicine background, and wilderness experience.

 

Global Emergency Medics (GEM) and Danielle Ryan Wellness (DRW)

 

For our Herbal First Aid courses we partner with DRW. DRW, is a leader in herbal medicine run by Certified Clinical Herbalist Danielle Ryan.

 

Prerequisites

 

Students must be at least 18 years of age to participate in this course. Once registered, a review package will be sent to students which must be completed prior to the start of the course.

 

Certification Received

  • Herbal First Aid (HFA) certification


Re-certification Interval

 

3 Years

 

Key Topics Covered

 

In the two day HFA portion, all participants will learn herbal medicine making- including percolation tincturing, syrup making, and salve making, and wildcrafting techniques with instruction on how to harvest herbs in the wild. Significant emphasis is also placed on education about effective herbal remedies for wound and trauma care, digestive upset, respiratory relief, med- kit management, and much more.

Packing List

Below are the suggested items to pack. This list can vary according to the course location, weather, and season. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns specific to your course’s venue. Please be prepared for all seasonal weather conditions and bring the appropriate clothing, footwear, and gear. We will try to spend as much time as possible outside!

  • Current certification (Recert students only)
  • Notebook with pen or pencil
  • Watch
  • Clothing that may be stained or cut during simulations
  • Personal medications
  • First aid kit
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Water bottle or thermos
  • Snacks
  • Headlamp
FAQs
  • The following teaching materials will be provided by GEM at no additional cost:
    • Wilderness and Rescue Medicine Textbook
    • Wilderness and Rescue Medicine Field Guide
    • Class Notes and Handouts
    • SOAP Notes
  • Course Completion and Grades:
    • Successful completion with certification is based on 100% attendance, satisfactory performance on all assigned homework and quizzes, as well as demonstrated proficiency with hands on practical skills. Students must also obtain an 80% or better on the final written exam.
  • Certification:
    • Upon successful completion, students will receive Wilderness First Aid and Healthcare Provider level CPR certifications from Wilderness Medical Associates. The CPR certification is based on 2015 AHA/ILCOR guidelines. All WMA certifications are valid for three years.
  • Recertification:
    • Recertification can be earned at any time during the three years following your course. Additional training options exist, including the Wilderness Advanced First Aid Course, WAFA-to-WFR Bridge Course, or the Wilderness First Responder Course.
  • Registration:
    • In order to register for a course, chose your specific course, date, and location, and click “Register For Course”. You can also add your specific course to your cart through the Courses tab, or contact us at any time to register.
  • Cancellation Policy:
    • For all courses cancelled more than 60 days from course start date a full refund minus $50 registration fee.
    • For cancellations less than 60 days, but more than 4 weeks from course start date students receive a 50% refund.
    • For cancellations less than 4 weeks from course start date there is no refund.
    • COVID-19 Update: Cancellations made by either party due to restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will allow full tuition credit to any other course sponsored by Global Emergency Medics for up to 18 months from original course date.  No refunds will be given for courses cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What to Expect
  • Be ready to learn, develop confidence, and utilize critical thinking skills in wilderness medicine.
  • Realistic emergency simulations will be staged, complete with fake wounds and injuries. Students alternate playing the role of both rescuer and patient. These sims are meant to get your adrenaline pumping; forcing you to think critically under pressure, so you can take action in a real wilderness medical emergency.
  • Course days are long and intense consisting of both classroom lectures and in the field training. Days often continue late into the evening with assigned homework. Expect to be fully immersed in wilderness medicine from day 1.
  • Upon registration, participants will receive an email outlining specific meeting times for their course.
  • 100% attendance is required.

Upcoming Classes

Register for one our upcoming
courses or contact us to host your
own course for your team.

Courses Coming Soon.