An introduction to wilderness medicine and the work of WEMSSA. Presented by Sean Buchanan at the International Congress on Emergency Medicine, Cape Town, South Africa
4. Wilderness & Expedition Medicine
• Purposeful medicine:
– predicted, planned, performed
• Characteristics:
– Remote
– Unusual physiological demands
– Reliance on clinical examination
– Reliance on good judgement
– Need for ingenuity & improvisation
– Pragmatic
‘Austere care is no excuse for poor care’
9. Wilderness Medicine Education in SA
• Short courses:
– Wilderness Emergency Medicine
(KZN)
– Winter Wilderness Medicine
(Matroosberg, WC)
– Kilimanjaro Mountain Medicine
• Dip/MSc/PhD programmes in
extreme physiology
– Tropical medicine
– Aerospace medicine
– Hyperbaric medicine
– Emergency Medicine
• Fellowship in Wilderness Medicine
(FAWM)
• Diploma in Mountain Medicine
(DiMM)
10. Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness
Medicine (FAWN)
Requirements:
• Any WMS member
• $255 for 5 years
• Points-based system needing total
of 100:
– Core 55-70
– Elective 5-10
– Experience 20-40
• 16 domains including education
and research
WMS Members who proudly use the
FAWM credential display the
highest level of widely-
recognized achievement in
the field of wilderness medicine. They
have demonstrated significant
knowledge and experience
in their disciplineand serve the
community in a distinguished manner.
12. • Optic nerve sheath diameter &
papilledema
• Lung ultrasound for prediction of HAPE
• Field pulse oximety comparisons
• Wearable device trails
• Inhalational analgesia at high altitude
WEMSA Research
13. EMMSA
SA Triage Score ARREST
WEMSSA
PECSA EM Ultrasound
Prof. Dickerson (Chair)
+ 15 person committee
14. Objectives of the Society
• Establish a professional forum for the
recognition and advancement of WM professionals
• Provide accredited training
• Advocate for wilderness medical professionals
and their patients
• Review international wilderness protocols in
respect to their local applicability
• Develop, fund and conduct research
• Foster cooperation across Africa