University of Tasmania
8 days
Expedition Medicine is an intensive 8-day residential course designed for medical and health professionals, guides, and outdoor educators seeking expertise in wilderness emergency medical response and remote area medicine. Participants develop practical skills in expedition planning, search and rescue, high altitude and cold injury management, and leadership in extreme environments.
This course is designed for medical and health professionals, guides, and outdoor education teachers with an interest in remote and extreme medicine. Participants should have a background in healthcare or outdoor education. Students undertaking the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Masters in Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments must complete this residential short course before undertaking assessment for CAM631 Expedition Medicine. Pre-course online preparation is required and accessible through the course portal.
The course covers pre-expedition planning and medical kit design, wilderness emergency medical response, and accident management for single and multiple patient scenarios. Environmental medicine topics include cold injury pathophysiology and treatment, high altitude medical problems, and avalanche rescue procedures. Practical skills development includes search and rescue techniques, steep terrain rescue, use of stretchers and splints, and improvisation of medical and rescue equipment. Leadership and teamwork are emphasized throughout progressively complex emergency scenarios. Additional content covers remote area communications, navigation, regional anaesthetic blocks, wound assessment and closure, and management of common medical emergencies including asthma, anaphylaxis, and diabetes in wilderness settings.
The University of Tasmania, in partnership with the Australian Antarctic Division, delivers this course with extensive practical expertise in remote and extreme medicine. The program combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on residential training at a dedicated field study centre, ensuring participants develop real-world competency. The course is recognized by ACRRM and RACGP for continuing professional development points, and successful completion offers pathways to further study in Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments programs.
Upon completion, participants are equipped to work as expedition medical officers, remote area medical professionals, and wilderness emergency responders. The course prepares health professionals for roles in search and rescue operations, outdoor education leadership, and extreme environment medical support. Eligible participants can progress to further study in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Masters in Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments, or undertake specialized units in operational aspects of remote healthcare, medicine in extreme environments, human behaviour in extreme environments, or humans in space.
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