WMT is not known for Sun newspaper like headlines, but this seems appropriate. Alumnus Ian Nairn wrote to us and gave WMT permission to share this story and photo. These are Ian’s words:

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the WMT Team, Harvey, Barry and the rest of the crew. Why? Well for the last 4 or so years I’ve been doing the WMT FFH & Advanced Medicine courses. I teach bushcraft and wilderness living skills all round the world. I’ve had to use some of the skills taught but just for minor injuries and ailments, never a life threatening situation – until last night.

And it wasn’t in some far flung corner of the world, it was in a restaurant with my wife Kara celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary.

My wife got a lump of steak stuck in her throat and couldn’t breath. Now being as she is, she was trying not to let anyone, including me, know until the last possible moment and by this time she couldn’t breathe or hold her breath any longer and so panic set in. I realised what was happening and swiftly moved to help her.

After some VERY strong back slaps and bending her over the back of a chair, the meat was dislodged and she was able to breathe again. After some calming down and a few tears she was fine.

I wanted to thank WMT because these guys gave me not only the skills but the professionalism to act swiftly and above all calmly without any panic. Even though it was my wife, who I couldn’t live without, I remained completely calm and professional during the incident. Customers and staff in the restaurant commented on how quickly and smoothly I performed.

So thanks WMT. Not only have you given me these skills, you have given me an anniversary present I will never forget. Medical emergencies don’t have to be far from help to be life threatening. 👍🏻

Very apt take home message. Thanks for sharing Ian – and happy anniversary from WMT!

On 26 August 2020, Public Health England (PHE) published updated guidelines for rabies post-exposure management.

Changes include:

• Information on bats in the UK.
• Pet passport scheme.
• Process for issuing vaccine and immunoglobulin through Colindale.

Download the PHE guidelines here.

On 27 June (Armed Forces Day) the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to members of the Armed Forces by video call to thank them for their part in fighting coronavirus. WMT’s Medical Director Lt. Col. Dr Harvey Pynn (glasses, blue scrubs) was on the call and reports an engaging conversation with the PM.

This GOV.UK page (3 June) details

Coronavirus (COVID-19): travellers exempt from English border rules

In this advice, it states “Healthcare professionals exempt from the 14 day quarantine:

• a registered health or care professional travelling to the UK to provide essential healthcare, including where this is not related to coronavirus

BUT, as Medical Director Dr Harvey Pynn points out:

“I think the professional bodies would take a dim view of medical folk taking advantage of this when returning from family holidays. However, good to know that people can still engage in NGO activity etc. without the requirement for a 14 day self isolation period on return. 

And all WMT alumni are strongly advised to read the small print of their travel insurance before venturing outside the UK given the FCO advises against all but essential foreign travel……..”

In the May 2020 Newsletter we’ve focused on directing readers to our online back catalogue of learning material. Links to selected blog posts, Medical Director’s Bulletins and Wilderness Medical Case Reports have been chosen to keep you informed, encouraged and – crucially – mindful that at some point we’ll be able to travel again. Read the Newsletter here.

The Wessex Global Health Network website is packed with information, news and links including a section on WORKING ABROAD that will be of interest to many WMT readers. Subscribe to their newsletter here.

Travel Health Pro has issued useful advice to those planning to travel to help afflicted countries deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the bulletin here.

Read this British Mountaineering Council report of how outdoor brands around the world are sharing their wealth or using their expertise and production facilities to make equipment, such as PPE, to combat Covid-19. Some companies are now offering huge discounts on outdoor clothing and gear to frontline workers in the UK. Read more. VF (who owns Smartwool, The North Face and other brands) is also matching donations to its Covid-19 Relief Fund 2 to 1 (donate £1 and they’ll match it with £2). Donate here.

Read the latest CASE REPORT by Dr Duncan Gray who writes candidly about a self-inflicted machete wound.

Extract: A self-inflicted machete wound to the left knee was sustained by the author when alone in a remote area of rainforest in Guyana in January 2020. Medical kit to hand was limited. The author was not the official trip medic. With concerns about a knee joint infection developing, evacuation was arranged to a small rural hospital many hours distant. The treatment there proved to be very basic. This case explores classic wilderness medicine issues including difficult decision making, balancing the various risks involved, psychological aspects and insurance failings.

Read Travel Health Pro’s advice on obtaining medicines if stranded abroad. Two of their take home messages are to beware of falsified “fake” or substandard medicines available abroad and don’t wait until your stocks run low before trying to replenish meds (including malaria chemoprophylaxis).