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Expedition Medicine Resources

Listed are expedition, medical, travel and cartographic resources which we hope you will find useful in your expedition planning or preparing for your role as an expediton medic. Please let us know of other sites that might be useful to put in this area.

General EXPEDITION resources

An exciting job opportunity in Zambia.
The Luangwa Safaris Association needs a doctor to help care for staff and clients.
ANALGESIA FOR USE IN A MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT
This document reflects a summary of a two month E mail discussion by the diplomats and faculty of the UK Diploma of Mountain Medicine, a review of the 1999 IKAR guidelines and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine 2006 work on Battlefield Analgesia (RCDM).
Dr Luanne Freer writes about the highest clinic in the World - Everest Base Camp Clinic
Dr. Luanne Freer is a board certified emergency physician who practices in her hometown, Bozeman, Montana. She is the current president of the Wilderness Medical Society, and is the medical director for Medcor Special Projects, Yellowstone National Park. Luanne has worked as a volunteer physician in Nepal for the Himalayan Rescue Association since 1999, and in 2003, she founded the first-ever medical clinic at Mt. Everest base camp, which she continues to direct and staff every spring climbing season.
Eating for altitude
Advice on diet if about to embark on an altitude trip
Expedition and Wilderness Medical Specialists
This is a list of Expedition Medicine's Medical Specialists
Expedition and Wilderness Specialists
This is a list of Expedition Medicine's Wilderness Specialists
Expedition Medicine Reading List
A list of recommended resources for people interested in expedition medicine
Expedition use of handheld radio's
Hand held radio's on expedition
Guest Speakers
A list of past and present speakers on the EML UK course
Hiring Kit from Expedition Medicine
A nice quote from Dr Mike Steve after EML helped with medical supplies and support.
How do I use a hyperbaric chamber? What are the alternatives?
The concept behind the 3 main portable hyperbaric chambers is they effect a physiological descent by inflating the air impermeable bags above ambient atmospheric pressure.
Kuiseb Canyon | Namibia | First Descent by Expedition Medicine Director
There are not many places left in the world that have not been fully explored but the Kuiseb Canyon located deep within Namibia Namib-Naukluft is one such place.
Lightening Strikes
Severe weather is interesting yet frightening, beautiful yet destructive, and always fascinating. It makes great news and never fails to attract our attention.
Managing Dental Emergencies
An overview on how to deal with dental emergencies on expedition
New Guidelines for Malaria Prophylaxis for travellers from the UK
These practical guidelines from the Health Protection Agency Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention for UK Travellers update and combine the Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the United Kingdom for 2003 and Malaria prophylaxis for long-term travellers in a new format.
Pocket first aid and wilderness medicine book
Treksafe's new and useful pocket guide to first aid and wilderness medicine.
Positions available for doctors interested in mountain medicine in New Zealand
Mountain care positions for 2 ski fields in the South Island – a great job for those wanting more mountain and sports medicine experience
Risk Assessments and Casualty Evacuation
Shakleton managed never to lose a member of his team to the harsh environmental dangers on any of his expeditions.
Staff news November 2007
What have we been up to?
Sunscreens And Altitude
UIAA Mountain Medicine Centre Information Sheet 7
Treating Animal Bites
From infection, wound closure, tetanus and rabies
What to put in your expedition medical Kit
advice on what to include in your expedition medical kit
Wilderness Medicine Society/International Society of Mountain Medicine World Congress 2007
Dr Caroline Knox gives us the low down on the conference in Aviemore October 2007.

Doctor resources

A case of Splenic Infarction at high altitude in Sickle Cell Trait - Dr Alison Cook
Dr Alison Cook writes about the high altitude splenic infarction, an Across the Divide client on a Peru trek.
BMJ Career's write up of our EML UK Course
Dr Amy Morris describes a course with a difference.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning within tents and snow caves is a real and probably overlooked problem.
Climbing At Extreme Altitude Above 7000 Metres
Intended Distribution: High Altitude Mountaineers, UIAA Mountain Medicine Centre Information Sheet 2
Deaths During Mountaineering At Extreme Altitude
UIAA Mountain Medicine Centre Information Sheet 7.
Diabetes on Expedition
Diabetics need to be thorough in their preparation prior to an expedition. Testing their devices, trialing new regimes with increased levels of activity.
Diarrhoea. Everest BC Clinic
Diarrhoea is the number one medical complaint of travellers in the first 2 weeks away from home
EML UK Course Kit List
EML UK Course Kit List
EML UK Course Outline
Expedition Medicine UK course outline.
EXPEDITION MEDICAL KITS
Organising the medical equipment for an expedition
High Altitude Medicine; Definitions and symptoms
HAPE, HACE etc
High Altitude Medicine; Prevention
How to stop expedition members being affected
International Transport Of Drugs, Bottled Gas & Oxygen
UIAA Mountain Medicine Centre Information Sheet 7
Malaria.
With the advent of more widespread travel and inappropriate use of antimalarials there has been a recent and rapid emergence of resistant strains of P. falciparum worldwide.
Medicine in the Himalayas - Dr Kirstie Nicol
Dr Kirstie Nicol has just returned back from Nepal, working at one of the highest clinics in the world with the Himalayan Rescue Association.
Mountain Sickness, Oedemas, & Travel To High Altitudes
UIAA Mountain Medicine Centre Information Sheet 1
Public Health on Expedition
How to keep your expedition healthy
Role of the Doctor
A brief guide on your role as a medic out in the field
Role of the Expedition Medical Officer
What is your expected role on an expedition?
Staff Review DiMM Course
A look at the Diploma in Mountain Medicine course.
The Epidemiology of Morbidity on Expeditions
Summary of expedition incident rate by Drs Sean Hudson, Caroline J Knox, Neil Dignon, Denny Levett, Edward Gamble
Traveller's thrombosis (DVT) & Jet Lag
Clotting of blood, usually occurring in the lower legs
Treating AMS
guidelines for drug usage
Treating animal bites
Animal bites are fortunately uncommon occurrences on expedition; wild animals rarely have contact with humans unless the expedition’s purpose is game capture. Dogs inflict the most common animal bites.
Working in Niger
Dr Alison Cook's experiences working for MSF in Niger

Polar MEDICINE resources

'The Arctic Suitcase'
A recommended packing list for visitors Northeast Greenland
BMJ Polar Medicine Feature by Laura Patterson
What Laura thought of the EML Polar Course
Cold induced vasodilatation at altitude (abstract).
Van Ruiten, HJA, and Daanen, HAM (1999) Cold induced vasodilatation at altitude (abstract). in: Hypoxia into the next millennium. Advances in experimental medicine and biology. Vol 474. Eds Roach RC, Wagner, PD and Hackett, PH. pp436.
Cold Still Kills: Cold-Related Illnesses In Military Practice Freezing And Non-Freezing Cold Injury
Despite being one of the oldest threats to life and limb, cold exposure and consequent disorders are no less important in modern military practice as they were during classical times.
Dog Sledding Fact Sheet
Facts, figures, trivia, history and links for dog sledding
Effects of high altitudes on finger cooling test in Japanese and Tibetans at Qinghai Plateau.
The influences of both hypobaric hypoxia and cold on peripheral circulation were studied using the finger cooling test (measurement of the decrease in finger temperature, measured at the dorsal surface of the finger, during immersion of the hand in 0° C water for 20 min) at Qinghai Plateau.
Finger cold-induced vasodilation: a review
Cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) in the finger tips generally occurs 5 to 10 min after the start of local cold exposure of the extremities.
Frostbite/ Hypothermia
Prevention is the key to avoiding frostbite.
How to treat frostbite in the field
Advice on frostbite
If you encounter a polar bear, bear this in mind
The polar bear is swift and agile, moves easily on rough terrain and steep slopes, and is an excellent swimmer. It is curious, has an acute sense of smell, and often investigates any strange object, smell, or noise.
In the Fridge
Dr Sean Hudson tells us about his time in the Antarctic.
Norway County Notes
All you need to know about Norway.
Physiological characteristics of cold acclimatization in man
Studies were conducted on 15 healthy young soldiers to evaluate the effect of a cold acclimatization schedule on the thermoregulatory and metabolic activity on exposure to acute cold stress. Lazar Mathew, S. S. Purkayastha, A. Jayashankar and H. S. Nayar
Polar Medicine Course Kit List
A list of the kit we recommend you take on the Polar Medicine Course
Polar Medicine Course Outline
Gives you an idea of what we'll cover on the course
Polar Medicine Course Web Links
A list of essential Polar Links
Polar Medicine Course write up Feb '08- As featured in the BMJ
Find out what it's really like on the Polar course. Dr Claire Roche, tells all.
Polar Medicine; Finnmark and Lapland Fact Page
Finnmark is the northern most part of Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Raynaud's Disease
This is a non-freezing cold injury. It is a hypersensitivity reaction to cold exposure.
Resistance index of frostbite as a predictor of cold injury in Arctic operations
Cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) is mentioned as a mechanism that may prevent the occurrence of local cold injuries.
Snow blindness
Snow blindness, or solar/ultraviolet keratitis
Taking the plunge - what to do if exposed to freezing water
Management, kit and other medical advice
Working & Travelling in areas populated by Polar Bears
Despite its size and awesome strength the polar bear is swift and agile, moves easily on rough ice and steep slopes, and is an excellent swimmer.

Jungle MEDICINE resources

BMJ Careers Jungle Medicine Course write up
Tilman Stasch's honest account of his time in the Jungle.
BMJ's Editors Choice; Jungle Medicine Course
Before you flip past our leading article because expedition medicine has never appealed, I'd urge you to think again. The authors' excitement for expedition medicine comes across clearly and makes a compelling case for this specialty.
Costa Rica Country Notes
All the background information you need on Costa Rica.
Dengue Fever - Comprehensive guide
Detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Dengue fever
Fish Handler's Disease
This is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, commonly found on fish, oysters, clams, and other crustaceans.
Jungle Course Outline
Gives you an idea of what you'll cover whilst on the course
Jungle Medicine Course Kit List
A list of kit we recommend you take on the Jungle Medicine Course
Malaria- comprehensive guide
Mosquito-borne tropical disease common worldwide. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Malaria is available in the resource.

Desert MEDICINE resources

Desert Medicine Course Kit List
All you need to know about kit requirements
Desert Medicine Course Outline
Course outline for Desert Course
Dr Sundeep Dhillon, Desert Medicine Course Faculty
Sundeep has been an explorer or medical expert in virtually every wilderness terrain in more than 40 countries, from deserts to mountain tops and from the ocean depths to aerospace.
Heat exhaustion - comprehensive guide
Overheating of the body with exhaustion or collapse.
Heat Related Illnesses
Heat injuries can be immediately life-threatening. Be aware of the temperature conditions and your hydration levels.
Heatstroke - comprehensive guide
Heat exhaustion and collapse from heat exposure.
Namib Desert Medicine Course
Dr Sean Hudson tells us why we chose Namibia for our NEW desert medicine course.
Namibia Country Notes
An overview of Namibia - what you need to know

Diving MEDICINE resources

BAROTRAUMA & DYSBARISMS
Rapid reduction in ambient pressure, during ascent, causes dissolved gases to come out of solution and form bubbles of nitrogen, the oxygen is rapidly metabolized in the tissues.
Diving and Marine Medicine Course Kit List
What you'll need to bring along.
Diving and Marine Medicine Course Outline
Gives you an idea of what you'll cover on the course
Fugu Poisoning
Even though it is a bit exotic, no blog on fish poisoning would be complete without a discussion of Takifugu, a Japanese delicacy.
Shellfish Poisoning | Scromboid Poisoning
We went to a local restaurant on the beach last night, known for their fresh mackerel caught that day. It was delicious. But, several hours later we all had nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a red rash, sweating, and a strong metallic taste in our mouths

Articles

2005 International Hypoxia Symposia
The following abstracts of research from the Medical Expeditions 2003 expedition to the Chamlang area were presented.
Expedition Communication Systems.
Expedition communication systems by Maj. Alex Janzen RN & Across the Divide Expeditions.
Hurricane Ivan Relief Work
View of a medic, Dr Sean Hudson
Laugavegur Ultra Marathon, Iceland
Find out how Steve Clark from ATD found this 55km Icelandic ultra.
Marathon des Sables - a doctors view
A medics view of the famous Sahara race
Namibia 24hour Ultra 2008 - have you got what it takes?
Steve Clark from ATD tells us about the new Namibia Ultra marathon in April.
Royal Navy Everest Expedition Rescue
story of superb courage and teamwork on Everest