If you are considering being an expedition medic in cold and high environments, then this is an ideal course to attend.
You will complete a three-day randonnee expedition staying in mountain refuges and aim to summit a 4000m peak (weather permitting). The trip will be led by world renonwned Alpine high mountain guides who can take you to routes inaccessible to others. Mountain medicine will be taught by Endeavour altitude specialists.
You will gain personal insight into the effects of AMS on the human body, and how this interplays with expedition logistics and team dynamics.
You will have invaluable opportunity to practice scenarios on the mountain incorporating altitude medicine, communication and leadership.
These scenarios include the practicalities of giving medical treatment in windy and cold environments; making complex medical decisions when suffering with AMS; and how to organise your personal and medical kit on steep ground;
APPLICANT CRITERIA
To complete this course safely and enjoyably you should:
• Be a competent skier – could get down a black run.
• Have some off piste experience
• A good pre course level of fitness ie exercises regularly including some endurance capability. For example; can exercise at low heart rate for 2-4 hours or run / cycle at moderate aerobic pace for 1 hour.
• If you are not sure about your level or skiing or fitness then please contact Endeavour to discuss before signing up to the course.
Expedition Outline:
Arrive in Morzine – own transport.
Discuss aims of the expedition, principles of Mountain Medicine and being the medic on an altitude expedition.
Evening meet up if your all flight times allow.
Arrive in morzine by 11am if unable to arrive the night before.
AM
Ski together, review weather, snow conditions and avalanche risk
Practice with ski touring equipment, boot and ski crampons.
PM
Discuss expedition, risks, equipment, navigation and logistics.
Overnight in Morzine.
Early Start – Randonne to first hut
Scenarios in trauma, fractures, splinting and pain relief on the mountain
Overnight in mountain refuge
Randonne all day
Discussion of AMS, management and practicalities on expedition
On the mountain review of hypothermia, cold injury and leadership. Scenarios to include mitigation, treatment and evacuation considerations
Overnight in mountain refuge
Early start
Summit 4000+ m peak (conditions allowing) –
Photos and medals!
Monitor AMS symptoms and discussion of descent options.
Descend to start point.
Return to Morzine
Option to fly home only if late evening flight
LOGISTICS
DATES
21st – 26th January OR
25th – 30th March
COST
£1495
