This course is designed for healthcare professionals and students who want to apply their clinical skills in polar and extreme cold environments. It’s particularly suited to those interested in expedition, wilderness, humanitarian, or remote medicine.

The course focuses on clinical decision-making, leadership, teamwork, and operating safely in severely cold, remote settings, rather than technical polar travel or expedition skills alone.

It’s recommended that participants have previously attended an Expedition & Wilderness Medicine course.

The Polar Medicine course builds on these foundations and applies them to extreme cold, Arctic environments. If you’re unsure whether this is the right next step for you, we recommend using the Course Fit Checker or booking a discovery call with the team.

You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but a good level of physical fitness will help you get the most from the course.

You should be comfortable moving over snow and uneven terrain while wearing cold-weather clothing and carrying kit, as well as taking part in activities such as ski or snowshoe travel and expedition days. Being physically prepared will allow you to focus on learning rather than fatigue.

This Polar Medicine course covers the medical, environmental, logistical, and human factors considerations of working in polar and extreme cold environments.

Content includes:

• Introduction to Polar Medicine
• Equipment and Clothing for Cold Weather Environments
• Hypothermia
• Cold Water Immersion
• Frostbite and Cold Injury
• Pre-Expedition Medical Screening
• Common Polar Medical Conditions
• Risk Assessment
• Medical Kits for Polar Environments
• Managing Trauma and Medical Emergencies
• Wound Care
• Medical Scenarios and Simulation
• Pulks and Kit Hauling
• Tents and Camps
• Kitchens and Stove Lighting
• Navigation
• Weather
• Terrain and Route Finding
• 3-Day Polar Expedition

Teaching is delivered through a mix of practical workshops, simulations, focused teaching sessions, and field-based expedition learning.

Please follow the kit list and bring adequate kit. Polar environments are extremely cold, remote, and unforgiving, with temperatures potentially dropping as low as -30°C, so it’s essential you’re properly equipped to manage prolonged cold exposure, wind, snow, and limited shelter.

You need to be prepared for severe cold, wind, snow, and rapidly changing Arctic conditions. Appropriate layering, insulation, and extremity protection are critical. If you have any questions about equipment, just give us a call or send an email — we’re very happy to advise.

As a minimum we recommend you bring:

Outer layers

• Shell jacket – windproof and breathable (Gore-Tex or eVent recommended). This must not be an insulated ski jacket.

• Shell trousers or salopettes with venting zips. These must not be tight over base layers to reduce cold injury risk.

Insulation layers

• Down or synthetic insulated jacket (thicker is better, ideally with a hood)

• Down or synthetic gilet

• Insulated shorts, trousers, or skirt (strongly recommended for camp and rest periods)

Base layers

• Two sets of long-sleeve base layer tops (wool or synthetic, one mesh recommended)

• Two sets of base layer leggings (wool or synthetic, one mesh recommended)

Fleece layers

• Fleece top (hooded preferred). Many participants bring both a lightweight and a heavier fleece.

• Fleece tights or trousers (mid-weight, close fitting)

Feet

• Warm expedition-weight socks (minimum two pairs)

• Liner socks (minimum two pairs)

• Insulated camp booties or tent shoes

• Warm winter boots for travel to and from the hut

• Gaiters (essential unless your trousers have proven built-in gaiters)

Head and face

• Ski goggles with good UV protection

• Sunglasses (Category 3 or 4, wrap-around or side shields)

• Buff or polar buff

• Beanie hat

• Balaclava (optional)

Hands

• Liner gloves

• Fleece gloves (1–2 pairs)

• Thick insulated gloves (ski-style)

• Very warm mittens (sized to fit over gloves)

• Leather work gloves (useful around camp)

Sleeping system

• Sleeping bag rated to at least –25°C

• Insulated sleeping mat (4-season minimum, inflatable and/or foam)

• Sleeping bag liner

• Optional bivy bag for snowhole use

Sleeping bags and mats can be rented locally if required. Full details are provided once booked.

Eating and drinking

• Wide-mouth Nalgene bottles (2–3 recommended)

• Thermos flask and mug

• Cutlery (spork or spoon)

• Small container for food

Other essential items

• Day rucksack (30–45 litres)

• Large duffel bag for transport

• Head torch with spare batteries

• Compass and whistle (GPS if you have one)

• Personal toiletries

• Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF

• Hand warmers

• Personal first aid kit

• Power pack / portable charger

• Cash in Norwegian Krone (for optional sleeping system hire)

A full, detailed Polar Medicine kit list is provided ahead of the course and should be followed carefully.

Important – Never leave kit preparation until the last minute. Polar environments are unforgiving of poor kit choices. Prepare well in advance, test your equipment, and review your kit several weeks before departure.

Yes. Some specialist cold-weather equipment is required for this course.

Items such as skis, snowshoes, and hauling equipment are provided as part of the course. Guidance on what personal equipment to bring, what is provided, and what can be hired or sourced locally is included in your joining instructions once booked.

Accommodation is included from the start of the course until its conclusion.

You’ll be based at a remote mountain hut in Norway’s Finnmark region, with accommodation and meals provided throughout the course. The location is only accessible by snow machine, reinforcing the remote and expeditionary nature of the training.

Expect very cold, Arctic winter conditions, with temperatures potentially dropping as low as -30°C.

Conditions can include snow, wind, limited daylight, and remote terrain with restricted access to external support. These conditions form a core part of the learning experience, and faculty will guide you on how to manage yourself, your kit, and patients safely in extreme cold environments.

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must cover the activities undertaken on the course, including polar travel and emergency medical evacuation.

You’ll be required to provide insurance details before the course begins.

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.

Optional pre-course resources are also provided for those who like to prepare in advance.

If you wish to learn more or have any additional questions, we invite you to book a 20-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.

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