General EXPEDITION resources

2009 Course Application Form

Application for all courses in 2009

A fascinating write up of life at a remote healthpost in Nepal

Alina, a medical student, writes about her experiences as a doctor in the village of Deusa, Nepal

A true picture of remote health care in Nepal

Kanchla Lama, a Nepali medical student studying in the UK, writes about the health problems in his country.

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).

Caudwell Xtreme Everest

Mike Grocott from Caudwell Xtreme Everest recently spoke on our EML UK Course, learn more about the work they do.

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

Essential Healthcare in Ethiopia

MSF doctor Anna Greenham tells us about her time in Ethiopia

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

Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine

Dr Caroline Knox explains all about the Fellowship and how you go about earning it.

Guest Speakers

A list of past and present speakers on the EWM UK course

Helicopter Crewmembers Course (HCC)

An overview of the course for for medical and aircrew professionals

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.

Rowing Solo across the Indian Ocean

Sarah Outen tells us her latest news as she prepares for her epic journey.

Sarah Outen latest news

The latest news from Sarah who is about to embark rowing solo across the Indian Ocean

Staff news November 2007

What have we been up to?

Sunscreens And Altitude

UIAA Mountain Medicine Centre Information Sheet 7

Training for extreme events - Namibia Ultra Marathon

The Namibia Ultra Marathon is a 126 kilometre race from Brandberg Mountain, Namibia's highest peak, to the Skeleton Coast. It is rated by many as one of the worlds hardest ultra marathons and is organised by Across the Divide. In the link is an extract from ATD's race manual.

Treating Animal Bites

From infection, wound closure, tetanus and rabies

UK Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Course write up March 09

EWM director Piers Carter writes up about the recent EWM course in Keswick.

Weather4expeditions

Supporting your expedition with professional weather forecasts

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.

Write up of the Dartmoor course May 2009

Sean Hudson, EWM director, writes about the successful course in a new venue.

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

Diploma in Mountain Medicine - specialty rescue module

John Ellerton tells us about the Diploma

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

Arctic Nights & Northern Lights

EWM course lecturer Piers Carter tells us about his recent trip to Norway for the Polar Medicine Course

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.

Greenland Trek 2009 with Friends of Scott Polar Research Institute by Robin Back

Robin Back tells us why they are heading out to Greenland and why you should join them.

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.

Sean Hudson writes about the upcoming Jungle Course

An idea of the challenge the rain forest of Costa Rica offers

Desert MEDICINE resources

Desert Medicine Course - Damaraland, Namibia

A country famous for its Skeleton coast, an eerie graveyard of numerous shipwrecks which have fallen victim to its rough waters, home to towering sand dunes and of course Africa's "big five". A review of the course by Dr Claire Roche

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.

EML Desert Course Review

EML Director Mark Hannaford tells us all about the first ever Desert Medicine Course

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.

Heat related injuries in extreme desert conditions

Operating in extremely hot conditions creates a unique set of medical risks. In the link is the medical outline - for non medics, regarding those risks from the Namibia Ultra Marathon training guide.

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

Staying cool in the desert

The Namibia Ultra Marathon is a 126 kilometre race from Brandberg Mountain, Namibia's highest peak, to the Skeleton Coast. It is rated by many as one of the worlds hardest ultra marathons and is organised by Across the Divide. In the link is an extract from ATD's race manual.

The medical challenges of an ultra-marathon doctor

Amy Hughes writes a fascinating account of her experience as the lead medic for the Namibia Ultra marathon

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.

Blue Ventures Charity Partner for Diving Medicine

Learn more about our charity partner Blue Ventures and the wonderful work they do

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

Diving Medicine - Lesley Thomson

A great introduction into diving medicine from Lesley from the cold to the tropical.

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.

Blister Information by Erik McLaughlin MD, MPH

Erik gives us his ideal blister remedy and treatment advice. Erik is a keen runner as well as being a resident doctor in Family Medicine in the States.

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