The courses are run over a 5-day period in the heart of the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park at the stunning and award winning Jemby-Rinaj Eco Lodge near Blackheath.

Should you wish to stay longer a the Jemby-Rinjah then please contact the lodge directly Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge  (0)2 4787 7662.

The course is a mix of both lectures and outdoors education that will challenge participants both mentally and physically.  The Expedition Medicine faculty aims to present the valuable skills in a logical and progressive fashion, culminating in a morning of moulage and subsequent feedback.

Whats included

All meals and accommodation from Sunday night through to Thursday lunch.

Expedition & Wilderness Medicine - Australian Course Accreditation

This Active Learning Module has been approved by the RACGP QI&CPD Program. Total Points: 40 Category 1 points.

This activity is accredited by the ACRRM for 30 PRPD + 30 PRPD EM MOPS Points. 

Expedition & Wilderness Medicine - Faculty

The Expedition Medicine Faculty has been selected not only for their academic qualifications but also for their actual expedition experience and for their ability to share that in enthusiastic and engaging way.  They represent one of the most expereinced teams of expedition teachers in the world with expedition experience ranges from Antarctica to Namibia, from China to Chile.  They continue to be active in their varied fields of expedition and wilderness medicine and we are very lucky to be able to gather them all in one place at the same time.

Blue Mountains Course – What to expect

This medical training course is a good balance between lectures and practical activity. On the first 3 days we spend half the day inside participating in lectures and the other half of the day in smaller group teaching sessions and practical activities. Lectures include 1-hour slots on many areas of expedition medicine including Hot Weather medicine, Cold Weather Medicine, Altitude Medicine, Communication Systems and Pre-expedition Planning and Casualty Evacuation to name but a few.

After lunch on day 3 everyone spends 3 or 4 hours outside practising rope work, navigation and improvised carrying techniques.  As is always the case in the Blue Mountains the weather can be changeable and it is highly recommended that you come prepared for both rain and/or shine so full water proof outershell and good outdoor clothing are essential.

There are frequent smaller group teaching sessions where participants are encouraged to ask questions and share best practice. These sessions can be outside and inside and we will not let the weather influence our choice of locations but we do run the outside sessions in basic shelters if the weather is inclement.

It is a full timetable which leaves little time for participants to explore the surrounding mountains. Having said this there are always a number of that venture out for a morning walk or run.  

The final morning is a search and rescue exercise and you will be expected to participate in a sustained stretcher carry. This is physical work at times and you will not be asked to do anything you do not feel comfortable with – we always encourage people to work to their own limits rather than feel compelled or pressurised to complete any activity they are not comfortable with.

Accommodation will be in dormitories with shared amenities. All bedding will be provided. As you will be sharing rooms with other people we recommend that you bring ear plugs and an eye mask if you are a light sleeper!

A final note, the Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge offers comfortable and welcoming dormitory style accommodation in eco friendly timber lodges.  All dietary requirements are well catered for.

Day One

Welcome
Pre-existing and Common Conditions on Expeditions

Day Two

Pre-existing and Common Conditions on Expeditions
Communication Strategies
Social media and expeditions

Three teams to rotate through 3 x practical sessions of approx 1 hour:

• Fracture Management
• Water Purification
• Communication and Radios

Day Three

The Desert Environment - including bites and stings

Hypothermia and Frostbite

Group Dynamics

Altitude Illness

Practical outdoor session in small groups running through:  

• Safety in the outdoors and steep ground
• Rope skills
• Improvised carrying techniques
• Navigation including GPS
• Group shelters

Evening Lecture - TBA

Day Four

Public Health, Tropical Health and Immunisations

Three teams to rotate through 3 x practical sessions of approx 1 hour:

• Portable Altitude Chamber Use
• Wounds and Foot Essentials
• Team Dynamics and Lateral Thinking Exercise

Pre-Expedition Planning and Legal

Three teams to rotate through 3 x practical sessions of approx  45 mins:

• Dental Care on Expeditions
• Pre-Hospital Wilderness Assessment
• Medical Kit Options

Evening - Free Night or Optional Geography Challenge

Day Five

Search and Rescue Exercise

Course debrief and close