Desert Survival Course

Our Basic Desert Survival Skills course is a full-day crash course on the need-to-know skills to prevent and minimize any potentially dangerous circumstances while in the desert. This course has two main portions:  

Survival and preventative measures, including heat safety, personal hygiene, maps and navigation, lost person psychology, identifying water sources and edible foods, and finding shelter. Part two includes First Aid and Basic Life Support, and each student will graduate our class with a “Heartsaver” certification from American Heart Association (Valued at $85). These are industry standard professional certifications good for two years. 

This course will be held at the University of California Irvine Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center in Borrego Springs. Activities will take place primarily inside (due to the heat) with some outside practice. Each student will receive a course booklet that includes plant identification, a list of preparedness necessities, a basic Anza-Borrego topographical map along with a compass, and a first aid kit. All desert goers are welcome!  

*Note that this program contains very different content from our Wilderness First Responder course.  

• Build real confidence in your ability to stay safe and handle emergencies in the desert—perfect for hikers, travelers, and outdoor lovers.

• Take home life-saving skills and a Heartsaver certification, plus a first aid kit, compass, and expert desert survival tools.

• Learn from a passionate pro—Annie DeFino makes survival skills fun, approachable, and empowering.

• Stay safe before trouble starts—gain practical tips to prevent danger and make every desert trip smarter and safer.

Please Bring:  

• Bagged lunch and snacks 

• Water bottle 

• Notebook and Pen/Pencil  

REGISTER TODAY!

Date: Sunday, May 18 2025  

Location: Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center 

Time: 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (with one hour lunch break) 

Cost:  

Student: $90
Member: $165
Non-Member: $180 

About the Presenter:   

Annie DeFino has been facilitating as an Outdoor Educator for over ten years. Originally residing in New Jersey, she found a love of the outdoors while mushroom hunting in the freshwater marshes. The minute Annie experienced the Sonoran Desert (and noted the desert has a staunchly lower amount of horse flies) she knew her calling was to educate others about the importance and wonder of the desert. She received a Bachelor’s degree at Prescott College in both Psychology and Environmental Science. Since then, she’s moved to Pasadena and has taught science in outdoor settings all around California. From Big Sur to Anza Borrego, she has passionately educated ages young and old about water in the west, geology, fauna, flora, and most importantly, life in the desert. Currently Annie focuses on risk mitigation as a Course Director for a northern-based outdoor education company and enjoys facilitating outdoor events for Anza-Borrego.  In her free time, she escapes into the backcountry or can be found reading about desert ecology at her local coffee shop.  

Cancellation Policy: 

Cancellation requests must be received at least seven days before the event if you wish to receive a credit or refund. Please note that ABF may cancel a program due to low attendance. If ABF cancels a program, we will issue a full credit or refund.