Ocean Medicine Course
Brixham, UK
Take your training onto the water and expand your clinical practice into marine environments.
This four-day Ocean Medicine course in Brixham equips you with the core skills needed to operate safely and effectively in maritime, coastal, and water-based environments.
Set in a historic working harbour on the South Devon coast, the course blends focused teaching, practical workshops, and immersive on-water scenarios to develop your clinical decision-making, leadership, and communication skills under pressure.
You’ll move beyond classroom learning and into realistic ocean-going situations, gaining the confidence to manage casualties, assess risk, and support teams operating on vessels, small craft, and in cold-water environments.
Your Teaching Faculty
Modules
Onder
This course is by far one of the best courses I have attended, if not the best, with fantastic WEM Faculty who made it such an amazing experience. I am greatly inspired by the amazing things that can be done as clinicians in extreme, austere environments, and I have again remembered why I do what I do as an Emergency Medicine doctor and why I want to pursue a career like this. I made great friends during this course and am already planning my next WEM course. I genuinely do not understand how the time went so quickly this week. I want to thank you all once again and hope to see you in the next WEM course.
Alison
A huge thank you to the Faculty and staff at Grenville house. I had the best time, learned alot and am keen to do another course.
Loveday
Absolutely amazing course, fabulous faculty, great resources. Thanks to all
Rohit
Keep up the great work..Amazing to see WEM pushing boundaries
What's Included?
Field-Based Training & Practical Workshops
Teaching is delivered through hands-on workshops, small-group activities, and realistic on-water scenarios designed to reflect the challenges of medical care at sea.
Expert Faculty & Instruction
You’ll be taught by experienced medical professionals with backgrounds in ocean expeditions, emergency medicine, and pre-hospital care, supported by instructors with specialist maritime expertise.
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.
Accommodation is provided at Grenville House, located directly on Brixham Harbour. Rooms are shared dormitory-style accommodation.
CPD & Course Certification
This course has been awarded 28.5 CPD hours by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
On completion, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance recognising your training in ocean and maritime medicine.
Book Now
GBP £1,095.00
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 ocean, maritime, and water-based environments.
It’s particularly suited to those interested in sailing expeditions, marine events, dive medicine, ocean rowing, or supporting extreme athletes and teams operating at sea.
Do I need previous ocean or dive medicine experience?
No prior ocean or dive medicine training is required. This course is designed as an introduction to ocean medicine and is suitable for those new to maritime environments, 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’ll spend time outdoors each day and may participate in practical exercises involving vessels and cold-water environments. Swimming is optional, and all water-based activities are conducted in a controlled setting. Please discuss any injuries or concerns with the team in advance.
What course content is covered?
This Ocean Medicine course covers the medical, environmental, logistical, and human factors considerations of working at sea.
Course Content:
- Expedition Planning for Ocean Environments
- Navigation at Sea
- Fire Fighting
- Situational Awareness
- Personal Equipment
- Emergency Equipment and Flares
- Knots and Pulleys
- Managing Trauma in Confined Spaces
- MSK Injuries and Taping
- Immersion and Drowning
- Hypothermia
- Cold Water Shock
- Small Boat and RIB Handling
- Moving Casualties at Sea
- Cold Water Acclimatisation and Sea Survival
- Communications
- Helicopter Protocols
- Nutrition at Sea
- Dive Medicine
- Medical Scenarios & Simulation
Teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, practical workshops, and scenario-based learning.
What kit do I need to bring?
Weather on the South Devon coast can be highly changeable. Poor kit preparation can impact comfort and participation.
You’ll be outside for several hours each day, often exposed to wind, spray, and cold conditions. Quality waterproofs, warm layers, and footwear suitable for getting wet are essential.
A full kit list is available below and should be reviewed carefully before arrival.
Specialist safety equipment required for planned course activities is provided including wetsuits and buoyancy aids, but you’re welcome to bring your own if preferred.
As a minimum we recommend you bring:
- Waterproof: Jacket, trousers and gloves
- Appropriate outdoor clothing: Wind breaker jacket, walking trousers, t-shirts, warm fleeces, warm hat, warm gloves, long johns if you have them plus sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream
It can be freezing cold or boiling hot operating on ribs or pontoons weather dependent
- Spare clothing: 2 sets of appropriate outdoor clothing in case you get wet
- Wetsuit (if you have one – preferably 3mm+, one can be provided for you)
- Buoyancy aid (can be provided for you, if you have one – please do not bring any autoactivating life jackets)
- Swimsuit
You do not have to get in the water if you are nervous but the course offers a controlled environment and as such an excellent opportunity to extend your comfort zone
- Casual comfortable clothing (for indoor lectures, workshops and evenings)
- 20-25 litre dry bag
- Water bottle and flask for hot drinks
- Personal toiletries (including a towel)
- Laptop or notepad
What are the conditions like?
Conditions can vary widely, from calm sunshine to strong winds and cold spray — sometimes within the same day. You’ll be guided throughout the course on how to manage yourself, your kit, and patients safely in changing marine environments.
Do I need travel insurance to attend?
Yes, if you’re joining us from outside the UK. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory for non-UK attendees, including cover for water-based activities.
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 upon booking.
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
