TravelHealthPro issued COVID-19: GENERAL ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS on 29 January. This website comprises the travel health resources of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). NaTHNaC was set up by the Department of Health in 2002 with the broad aim of Protecting the Health of British Travellers. It seeks to improve the quality of travel health advice given by GP practices, travel clinics, pharmacies and other healthcare providers, and provide up-to-date and reliable information for the international traveller, travel industry and national government.
Our January Newsletter features an extensive interview (with fabulous photos) of instructor Dr Duncan Gray. He’s worked for 18 years as an Emergency Medicine consultant in Glasgow and also on the specialist register as a GP and has extensive expedition medical experience in all environments over four decades on foot, skis, kayak, canoe and yacht, from Alaska to Antarctica.
Duncan Gray plying the waterways of the Yukon – his favourite adventure destination.
We’ve also introduced readers to TURF, a free app-based orienteering-type game. Using GPS and smart phone technology, this point gathering challenge and Scandinavian phenomenom started in 2010. Read the newsletter here.
Thanks to colleague Dr Dan Morris for tipping WMT off about this fantastic online auction for a brilliant charity that ends Sunday evening 7 December. There’s amazing items to bid for ranging from football memorobilia to mountain mementos including an ice axe signed by Sir Edmund Hillary, plus gadgets, holidays and unique experiences. AUCTION WEBSITE
About the charity:
65 Degrees North seeks to help in the rehabilitation of wounded, injured or sick (WIS) service personnel and veterans by offering the opportunity to participate in challenging adventure.
By changing the perception of physical and mental disability through the ‘Spirit of Adventure’ we aim to inspire and motivate others to overcome, achieve and succeed.Charity WEBSITE
It’s that time of year when WMT always promotes our hometown’s Kendal Mountain Festival. This year the festival team have really pulled it out of the bag to deliver this 40th edition of the festival totally online starting on 19th November. WMT’s Commercial Director and paraglider pilot Barry Roberts is a contributor and he’ll be co-presenting the LIVE Ozone Free-Flight Session at 8pm 24th November which promises to be a visual feast and celebration of paragliding and BASE jumping films, photography and guests from the free-flight world. There really is something in the KMF programme for everyone wherever they are on the planet this year. Read more from the organisers below and follow the KMF on Instagram
We have seized this huge opportunity to Share The Adventure with the world, pouring all our effort and energy into creating a new, amazing, digital experience that’s packed with the famous Kendal spirit and vibe!
Our main stage will deliver to you a unique mix of some of the world’s most renowned international athletes and adventurers, an array of incredible authors, 15 different themed curations featuring the latest adventure and environmental films, family-friendly content, and all the buzz and atmosphere of our legendary activity-focused sessions – live-streamed and available on-demand to your screen.
More than 200 films, 15 specialist sessions and over 30 literature talks. Live and on-demand from Thursday 19th November!
The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh have produced two documents of great relevance to expedition medics.
UPDATED GUIDANCE FOR MEDICAL PROVISION FOR WILDERNESS MEDICINE includes: Revised “skills framework” involving expedition experience Consideration of broader competencies rather than specific medical skills Suggested changes to expedition risk matrix
In the latest newsletter (September 2020) WMT clarified the situation regarding re-validating Explorer Advanced Medicine qualifications given the disruption to course delivery due to Covid-19. Advanced Medicine alumni who were due to refresh their WMT training in May 2020 but couldn’t or who should refresh before December 2020 are advised to read the newsletter here for details and to sign up to the WMT Newsletter for further updates (via the home page).
The September Newsletter optimistically outlines the course dates for Medic and Explorer events we hope to resume delivering from November. Read the newsletter here.
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. 👍🏻
Ian and Kara Nairn celebrating with G&T post-choking incident
Very apt take home message. Thanks for sharing Ian – and happy anniversary from WMT!
On 27 June (Armed Forces Day) the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnsonspoke 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.
