Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Course
Keswick, UK
Course Dates
- 02 March 2026 08:00 - 05 March 2026 15:30
- 21 September 2026 08:00 - 24 September 2026 15:30
Take your training into the field and open up a whole new world of travel and opportunity.
This four-day Expedition & Wilderness Medicine course in the Lake District equips you with the core skills needed to operate safely and effectively in remote, resource-limited environments.
Set in the heart of one of the UK’s most iconic mountain regions, the course blends focused teaching, practical workshops, and immersive scenarios to develop your clinical decision-making, leadership, and communication skills under pressure.
You’ll move beyond classroom learning and into realistic expedition-style situations, gaining the confidence to assess risk, manage casualties, and work effectively as part of a medical team in challenging outdoor settings.
Your Teaching Faculty
Modules
Nicky
The faculty were all brilliant, and the wealth of knowledge, experience, and anecdotes from each of them was absolutely fascinating and really added to the course, knowing the people teaching had all done the things they were lecturing about. Thank you so much for a fabulous course.
Andrew
The course was structured brilliantly and never felt too exhausted or bored. Really well co ordinated
Kaitlyn
The course exceeded expectations! Thank you for an incredible week of listening, learning, sharing, laughing, and fun and adventure :) The faculty were great!!
What's Included?
Field-Based Training & Practical Workshops
Teaching is delivered through hands-on workshops, group activities, and realistic outdoor scenarios designed to reflect the challenges of expedition medicine.
Expert Faculty & Instruction
You’ll be taught by experienced medical professionals with backgrounds in expedition, wilderness, and pre-hospital care, supported by instructors with extensive field experience.
Accommodation, Meals & Course Support
Your course fee includes accommodation and meals from the start of the course through to after lunch on the final day, allowing you to focus fully on learning and participation.
Please note that travel costs, travel insurance, personal equipment and drinks & food from the bar is not included in your course fee.
CPD & Course Certification
This course has been awarded 24 CPD hours by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. This course has been approved for Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) credits through the Wilderness Medical Society. Actual credits awarded depend on personal credit needs and history.
On completion, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance recognising your training in expedition and wilderness medicine.
Book Now
GBP £1,049.00
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course right for me?
This course is designed for healthcare professionals and students who want to apply their clinical skills in expedition and wilderness settings. It’s particularly suited to those interested in expedition, adventure, humanitarian, or remote medicine. The course focuses on clinical decision-making, teamwork, and operating safely in challenging outdoor environments.
Do I need previous expedition or wilderness medicine training?
No prior expedition medicine training is required. This course is designed as an introduction to expedition and wilderness medicine and is suitable for those new to this area, as well as those looking to formalise existing experience. If you’re unsure whether this course is the right fit, we recommend using the Course Fit Checker or booking a discovery call.
What level of fitness is required?
You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but a reasonable level of general fitness will help you get the most from the course. You should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain and spending extended periods outdoors in variable weather. Physical preparedness will allow you to focus on learning rather than fatigue.
What course content is covered?
This Expedition & Wilderness Medicine course covers the medical, environmental, logistical, and human factors considerations of working in remote environments.
Content includes:
- Overview of Expedition & Wilderness Medicine
- Human Factors
- Crew Resource Management
- Pre-Expedition Planning
- Pre-Existing and Common Conditions
- Dentistry
- Introduction to Trauma in Resource Poor Settings
- Primary Survey
- Spinal Immobilisation
- Road Traffic Collisions
- Fracture Management
- Catastrophic Bleeding
- Analgesia
- Aeromedical Rescue
- Security on expeditions
- Hills skill
- Medicine in Tropical Environments
- Medicine in Hot Environments
- Altitude Medicine
- Medicine in Cold Environments
- Dive Medicine
- Water Purification
- Comms
- Wound Care
- Medical Kits
- Public Health
- Mental Health
- Medico-Legal Considerations
- Search & Rescue Exercise
Teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, practical workshops, and scenario-based learning.
What kit do I need to bring?
Please follow the kit list and bring adequate kit. Weather in the Lake District can be highly unpredictable, and poor kit preparation can impact your safety and participation.
As a minimum, you should be prepared for rain, wind, cold, and prolonged time outdoors. You’ll be outside for several hours each day, often on uneven or wet terrain.
Quality waterproofs and walking boots with ankle support are essential. A full kit list is available on the WEM website and should be reviewed carefully before arrival. If you have any questions about equipment, just give us a call or send an email.
Important: Never leave kit preparation until the last minute. Preparing well in advance will help you stay comfortable, safe, and focused on learning throughout the course.
What are the conditions like?
Conditions can vary widely, from warm sunshine to heavy rain and strong winds, sometimes within the same day. You’ll be guided throughout the course on how to manage yourself, your kit, and patients safely in changing outdoor environments.
Do I need travel insurance to attend?
Yes if you’re joining us from overseas. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory for non-uk attendees, including cover for outdoor activities. You’ll be required to confirm insurance details before the course begins.
What support is available before the course starts?
Ahead of the course, you’ll receive access to a WhatsApp group where you can ask questions, share travel plans, and connect with fellow participants and faculty. Joining instructions and optional pre-course resources are also provided.
I have another question
If you wish to learn more or have any additional questions, we invite you to book a 30-minute discovery call with our team.
→ Click here to book a discovery call.
The call will be with the team who organise our courses and work closely with our medical teaching faculty. They’re best placed to explain what our attendees really get out of attending a course with us.
You can choose between a video or voice call — whatever suits you best.
Register for a time that works for you, and we look forward to speaking with you soon.
Prefer email? Then feel free to contact us.
Your Safety
The comprehensive curriculum and field scenarios are carefully designed to push your limits while mitigating risks.
We take every precaution to keep participants safe by:
- Rigorous gear checks before all expedition days
- Mandatory evacuation insurance policies
- Close coordination with local emergency responders
