What WMT says
This expedition uniquely combines the essentials of expedition and mountain medicine with highly practical mountain skills training and culminates with an ascent of Jbel Toubkal (4167m), the highest mountain in North Africa and an overnight visit to Marrakesh. Mountains are dangerous. There are special medical problems associated with hypoxia at higher altitudes and low temperatures and many terrain related trauma risks. The mountain medic needs to be sure footed on steep terrain, physically fit and prepared to practice medicine on the mountainside. This practical, hands on expedition to exotic Morocco is lead by mountain medics and experts. No mountain experience is required to attend but you need to be fit. We take delegates through the most important medical issues and field skills required for this special environment. This expedition attracts delegates from all other the world. For laypeople, there's a Far From Help course option with the trek that runs in parallel or a Toubkal trek only option that non-medical friends and family can join. Conservatively we estimate this event can count towards 17.5 CPD credits.
What students say
I really just want to reiterate a huge thanks to for a fantastic, relaxing, interesting & enjoyable course & all of you for great company, much amusement & a brilliant wander up t'hill.
Excellent course - perfectly pitched for all.
I had a fantastic time on the Morocco trip; it was a truly inspiring medical course which has made me totally rethink my career! Will be recommending it to everyone! Thanks again.
Who's invited?
Doctors of all grades, nurses, medical students or anyone else with an interest in mountain medicine and adventure travel are welcome to attend. No prior climbing or expedition experience is required but you must be reasonably fit. EVERY delegate on all past expeditions has reached the 4167m summit! Whether you are flirting with the idea of accompanying a team up Kilimanjaro, bolstering your CV or simply want a fun, inspiring educational week in the Moroccan mountains, this great value annual expedition is for you. Once you arrive, all costs are covered in the fee.
Expedition Style & Content
The content will be covered in a flexible way and will include:
Lectures
Tutorials & discussion groups
Team challenges
Practical tuition
Planning & Pre-expedition considerations
Travellers with special needs
Don’t get sued – legal liability & insurance
Immunisations & anti-malarials
Choosing a medical kit
Water purification
Mountain Medicine
Altitude illness
Avalanche dangers
Hypothermia & cold injury
Managing Injuries in the Field
Incident management – more than just medicine
Trauma on expeditions
Moving & straightening the injured
Practical fracture management, improvised stretchers & collars
Mountain Skills
Travelling light: kit selection, packing & waterproofing
Use of radios in an emergency
Navigation essentials: reading the terrain, use of map & compass
Using GPS
Ropes/anchors & security on steep ground techniques
Safe river crossings
Other important topics
Human Dynamics on expedition
Joining an expedition – being the right stuff and what next?
Fees
The 2013 fees are being held at 2011 rates: £550 + 250 euros paid locally and includes:
- lecture programme, materials, field manual & tuition
- escorted Jbel Toubkal mountain climb
- group transfers
- full board accommodation (shared and mountain refuge) including all soft drinks at the Kasbah
- Marrakesh hotel & final group dinner
Travel Advice
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CPD
We estimate that this programme is valid for approximately 17.5 CPD hours.
Download more information
Download this file if you would like more information about this great trip.
RGS Expedition Health Research
41% of British expeditions head to the mountains so the opportunities for mountain medics are numerous and there is much for the expedition medic to consider and prepare for. 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.
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