The alternative first aid course

In the UK all complementary medicine and sports and leisure practitioners are required to make 'adequate and appropriate provision' for first aid.

Many of you have gone through the motions of obtaining your first aid certificate by enduring one of the standard  courses currently available. Almost every course available is centered around 'industrial' first aid and is most notable by its lack of relevance to your particular specialist role.

With a background of years of working as a paramedic in five continents of the world I have an appreciation that first aid is a practical skill rather than theoretical. As a herbalist I understand that the incidents you may need to manage are unlike those that may be faced by a first aider in industry. As a teacher I am aware that to be truly effective training courses must be fun and inspiring, as well as informative and relevant. With this in mind I conduct first aid courses for practitioners that are directly relevant to your role.

The day is structured in three modules:

Emergency First Aid - Providing you with the knowledge and skills to be able to deal with life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, bleeding and shock. The emphasis here is to provide you with instinctive skills that will enable you to act confidently and effectively should the need arise.

First Aid in Practice - Providing you with the confidence and skills to be able to manage situations that may occur within your working environment such as diabetes, heart attack, epilepsy, and allergic reactions. If you have any special considerations surrounding your particular specialisation please mention them here - this is your course.

Natural Remedies - As well as the statutory requirement the day also includes an inspiring introduction to the potency of natural medicine in acute care. The content is drawn from years of my work in 'survival medicine' situations in jungles, deserts, mountain regions, the Arctic and Antarctic.

This section also features valuable information gained whilst working and exchanging information with traditional healers from many cultures - medicine men, shaman, and Romany healers.

With so many first aid courses being dull experiences I am keen that this course shows you a fresh and enjoyable approach. My commitment to that aim includes a full refund of course fees should you not enjoy the day or find it relevant to your needs.

You may wish to gather a group of friends or colleagues together and run a course from the venue of your choice. Even better, come and enjoy your course on the river with us on board 'Dawn' - we'll look after you and make you feel at home.

You can find the current course dates and book your place on-line by clicking here, or if you need any further information just e-mail me at mail@meadowsweetproject.net  .

Comments

[Marie]

I thought your first aid course was fantastic, not a head bandage in sight! Walking my dogs hasn't been the same since, it's now me who stops to forage around in the hedgerow. It was a real insight,I left feeling inspired and I can't wait to come aboard for the 3 day course.

[Nicola]

Dave did my First Aid Course 3 years ago and doing the update with him in June reminded me just how refreshing and valuable his teaching is. I burnt my finger and then cut another finger and saved myself by using his techniques, forgot about the cayenne though so will have to wait till next disaster. It was a really fun and informative day.

[Heather]

I could have attended a more local British Red Cross course 20 mins away by bus but, after years of courses filled with irrelevant information, I wanted to attend one that would be more fitting for me as a therapist. I was so glad that I did. For the first time I left a first aid course not feeling terrified out of my wits by the huge number of potential mishaps outlined! and all usually delivered by someone that lectures for a living and gave the impression that it was all theory for them anyway.

In fact,with David's background and years of VERY practical paramedic experience, he gave me a quietly calm confidence. I might be able to help,I could definitely cope,etc. Might not seem like much to you, but to me it feels light years away from the person trembling by the side of "Resus Annie" 3 years ago!

Listening to David talk about the healing herbs in such an inspiring way was an added bonus and, city gal though I am, I'm fully intending to book on a canal boat herbal course sometime soon - to the amazement of my friends. I may even bring a group of them with me!

Thanks David for a great and informative day.

[Anne]

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the course with David Woodgate last week. I've done a few first aid refresher courses since I qualified but this was the first time I came away thinking that anything I did would actually help or for that matter that I could remember any of it! It was really good how he broke it down into common sense, practical application rather than a frightening overload of theory and his manner meant you hardly noticed you were soaking up so much info.

[Sebastian]

David, your way of communicating the essential basics of First Aid was priceless. I have done a First Aid course before, but I was not left with a feeling that I could confidently handle a real emergency as the course basicly consisted of sterilising CPR dummies and tying reef knots... After spending the day with you I actually feel that I can make a difference in an emergency situation!

You also gave our group an inspiring taster to our herbal allies. I will definitely come out to your boat and learn some more from you, and I might even have a chat with my plants in the mean time :)

[Aurelie]

You inspired me too: I just loved meeting somebody who loves plants and flowers like I do and dare to voice it! I went for an inspired walk in Regents park and thought about your daughter complimenting trees and flowers. I told my orchids about my day and your family as soon as I got home :) ! They are preparing their baby flowers for September and it's lovely to watch. I also related the day to my boyfriend and he really enjoyed your stories too (I've read somewhere that boyfriends should be talked to as well).

I can't wait to do the boat trip!!!!!!

[Georgina]

I would like to post a belated message on how much I enjoyed your First Aid course on the 1st July and am very interested in the boat course you are offering. I was very interested on your talk of plants and herbal remedies. You made the course interesting, informative and enlightening - it was very well presented.

[Alison]

Just wanted to thank you for your wonderful first aid course at Neals Yard on Friday.

You are such an inspiring speaker & trainer, holding our attention for the whole day. I feel I have learned so much & gained in confidence over first aid, for the first time after doing many first aid courses in the past & it was great to learn more about herbal first aid too.

Bless you & thank you again. Wishing you success with the meadowsweet project.

[Margaret]

I can honestly say that yours is the only first aid course I have enjoyed and felt relaxed at. Thank you for the day and in particular for the wonderful and interesting herbal information . I have always had an interest in herbal medicine and I think it an excellent idea to have a group day on the boat - so please count me in.

[Lizzie]

I found the First Aid course interesting, fun and painless compared to the agonies suffered on other courses in the past. As you did last time, you inspired me once again to think about learning herbal medicine.

[Lisa]

Hi David, I just wanted to say thank you for the advice about cayenne. I cut my finger quite badly and was bleeding so much I thought I was going to have to go to A&E. Suddenly cayenne sprang to mind from our lesson, I did think for a moment that it was a very risky thing to be putting spices on an open cut!! - anyway I put a tsp over it and wrapped it in kitchen roll and within what seemed
like seconds the bleeding had completely stopped - pretty amazing!
My kids were watching and were totally open mouthed!