Expedition Medicine in Chamonix (winter) 17.5 CPD, 21-25 January 2013

What WMT says

Chamonix in winter is a fantastic setting in which to bring together WMT’s expert resources for a five day course to explore the rich and varied field of expedition and wilderness medicine. Now in its 13th year, this ever-popular annual programme is packed with inspiration, practical advice on how to join an expedition and expert medical training. In January 2012 we had 10 faculty and guest speakers, including Chamonix legend Docteur Vertical – Manu Cauchy, who share their expertise with great passion, be it in the fields of mountain or jungle medicine, extreme expedition adventures, remote clinical and humanitarian work, supporting film teams, mountain rescue or research. Four out of five days begin at 3pm for indoor practical sessions, lectures and discussions. One morning is spent outside practicing medicine in the cold and learning useful field skills like using a rope on steep ground, radio communications and vehicle scene safety. Each day has 4-5 hours course time which leaves the best part of the day free for snowsport activities. Every day concludes with a special inspirational talk. Organisations that “employ” expedition medics increasingly expect candidates to have done a course of this breadth and standard.

What students say

Particularly impressed by approachable and incredibly experienced and interesting faculty.
Fantastic. Great. Amazing!
Superb, realistic course! Eye opening. Excellent. Very well prepared and spoken.
This has been a career, and possibly life changing course for me! Went beyond expectations.
Excellent lectures and practical sessions.
Inspirational! Great course. Enjoyed the structure, flow and content.
When you get an angry letter from my mum saying you’ve ruined my medical career please don’t worry – I had a great time!
Wonderful – thank you.
Inspiring teaching styles. All very clear, concise and very knowledgeable.
Well organised & approachable & friendly faculty. Great experience – loved it!

Feedback quote from the 2012 course

“… the result was a really high standard of teaching, far and above most other medical courses I have attended. I think when other medics hear of a course in expedition medicine they think “junket,” and yet I feel I can return to my training scheme that granted the study leave and proudly boast as to the standard of teaching I have received.” Cathal O’Sullivan

Who’s invited?

Doctors of all grades, nurses, medical students or anyone else with an interest in expedition and wilderness medicine are welcome to attend. No prior expedition experience is required. Naturally many people come to this course to combine snowsports with the educational opportunity. People who attend range from experienced expedition medics who attend to ensure their knowledge is up to date and to get formal training under their belt, to people who are simply fascinated and curious about this field of medicine and are exploring alternative career paths. This is our most popular medic course due to the stunning location, diverse faculty, rich programme and snowsport fun! We are proud that our faculty and delegate mix reflects a diversity of healthcare professionals and is inter-disciplinary.

Course fees – special rates and student discounts

The normal tuition only price is £475. For undergraduate medical students, nurses and paramedics there’s a great saving with the special price of £350. The student/nurse rate may be withdrawn at any time so book now using the appropriate links above right to save enough to pay for your Geneva-Chamonix return airport transfers!

2012 teaching team

We had an amazing teaching team of 10 in January 2012 who are vastly experienced in the field, great teachers and passionate outdoors people. Their achievements are many and varied; from leading researchers, founders of charitable clinical projects, authors, medical consultants, professional mountain guides and expedition leaders. This team has operated in every environment there is and they are full of inspiration, great stories and advice on how to follow in their footsteps. Overwhelmingly, they are always rated as “friendly, expert and accessible”. The 2013 faculty will be confirmed in due course.

What’s covered on Expedition Medicine in Chamonix?

There is approximately 4.5 hours of teaching time per day, indoors 4/5 and outdoors 1/5. Each day is themed as follows:

Monday – Managing Injuries in the Field
The exciting world of expedition medicine – course overview
Venomous bites, stings & rabies
Trauma management: head injuries, fractures & dislocations
Immunisations & anti-malarials/field test kits – answering the awkward questions
Key Note Address: Dr Manu Cauchy, world renowned frostbite expert, Chamonix resident, mountain guide and author of Hanging by a Thread; My toughest missions as a helicopter rescue doctor

Tuesday – Planning & Pre-Expedition Considerations
Travellers with special needs – practical exercise
Incident management – more than just medicine – practical exercise
Don’t get sued – legal liability insurance
Choosing a medical kit – practical exercise
Expedition dentistry & maxillofacial injuries
Special inspirational lecture

Wednesday – Medicine in the Outdoor Environment – outdoors
Use of radios
Scenario-based problem solving exercises including:
Vehicle extrication & scene safety
Trauma management
Practical fracture management
Safety on steep terrain – some practical rope tricks
Special inspirational lecture

Thursday – Mountain Medicine
Altitude illness – theory & practice
Avalanche risk assessment & rescue
The eye at altitude & other eye problems
Hypothermia & cold injuries
Special inspirational lecture

Friday – Hot, Deep & Dangerous Environments
Getting hot & cross – hyperthermia & dehydration
Diving medicine – an overview
Expedition physiotherapy
Joining an expedition – being the right stuff – what next?
Final inspirational lecture

Inspirational Lectures

These very personal talks are a real highlight for many delegates so it’s worth saying more about them. Firstly, they are always accompanied by first-class images and often other media. Secondly, it is the highly personal, often intimate, nature of these presentations that delegates love. You will be laughing, and crying, as our team tell you about their exploits, hardships, successes and failures in the jungles, high on Everest, conducting life-changing eye operations, running the Marathon du Sable, 4×4 exploring around Africa, fighting polar bears in Greenland, treating tragic frostbite, working with the Porter Protection Group in Nepal or accompanying actress Joanna Lumley up the Nile or Ben Fogle in the jungle! Often heart warming, inspirational, humbling, humble, honest, revealing, frank, frightening and occasionally cringeworthy, it’s no surprise these talks are so highly rated. We can’t promise all of these talks on a single course but this gives you a flavour of what to expect.

CPD

We estimate that this programme is valid for approximately 17.5 CPD hours.

Logistics

Chamonix is an hour from Geneva which is well served by winter flights from all over the UK and throughout Europe. Accommodation options are abundant and range from hostels (we’ve block booked one just for our delegates) to glitzy hotels and chalets. Skiing is diverse and ranges from easy to extreme. See the downloads for loads of great advice and more information.

Fees

The fees include tuition, refreshments, materials and full lecture programme only. Nurses and paramedics are entitled to the special nurse rate as are full time undergraduate medical students.

Download more information

Download this file for more general information about this great course in Chamonix.

RGS Expedition Health Research

A Royal Geographical Society study of 1263 medical complaints on expedition found that more than half (51%) were classified either as gastrointestinal upsets (30%) or medical problems (21% – infections, headache, malaria etc.). 8% of complaints were fauna related. Not surprisingly, 4% of problems were feet related. Orthopaedic problems accounted for 19% of complaints, closely followed by environmental problems at 14%. Even minor illnesses left untreated, such as diarrhoea, blisters or sunburn, can slow a whole team down, reduce productivity and enjoyment and threaten the success of an expedition. More serious illness or injury can derail the expedition’s plans and result in evacuation that can be difficult and protracted. There is much for the expedition medic to consider and prepare for.

Course Images

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