In the context of operating in challenging outdoor environments, mental health can be viewed from two opposing perspectives.

Whether travelling alone on an expedition or as part of a larger expedition team, pain management on the expedition is a key factor in any medic’s armoury of medical kit.

During the warmer months, pollen count and air pollution levels increase which may increase the chances of an asthma attack for some people.

A common question during our First Aid courses is “What should I put in my first Aid Kit?” Although there are various lists of suggested content, students are always interested in our opinion as trainers too.

Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans. They may carry a range of pathogens that are then transmitted to the host when they bite.

Choking occurs when a foreign object blocks the airway. In first aid, individuals who have not yet reached puberty are considered to be children and infants are between 0 and 12 months old.

Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Around 1200 people die every year in the UK as a result of asthma. In this article, we will explain asthma, how to recognise its signs and symptoms, and how it can be treated in a first-aid setting.

We are often asked about Burn Gels and Blister Plasters during our first aid courses. What do they do, should we put them in our first aid kit?

When it comes to sunburn we know that prevention is better than a cure and that we should avoid becoming sunburnt in the first place, but accidents happen, and here are 4 tips for treating sunburn.

The rate of melanoma diagnosis is increasing. The consensus among scientists is that sunscreens alone cannot reverse this trend. Yet a good sunscreen can play a role in preventing sunburns – a major risk factor for melanoma – provided you use it correctly.

Regardless of your speciality and clinical setting as a medical professional, Wilderness Medicine Certification courses can greatly enhance professional and personal development.

We hear about hikers getting hurt, lost, and sometimes dying all the time. We know there is a risk of injury if you don’t take the proper safety measures in the backcountry. Nature is, for the most part, not controlled by humans. The best thing we can do as hikers is to avoid injury as much as possible.

Mount Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the world outside the Himalayas and the second tallest of the classic “seven summits.” It is a part of the Andes Mountain Range in the Mendoza region of Argentina, soaring to a height of 6,962 meters.

What do you get when you join an all-women ski expedition to the top of Mt. Baker? Good views, tired legs, sunburned noses, and a whole lot of talk on women’s health in the wild.

Search and rescue (SAR) is a generic term which covers finding and providing aid to the lost, missing, stranded, ill or injured. It covers a range of responses including urban SAR (usually natural or man-made disasters), wilderness and mountain rescue, to the Coastguard for ocean-based missions.

Attempting treatment while still exposed to the elements is bringing a knife to a gunfight. No amount of emergency blankets, hot packs, or calorie gels will be effective if the body is actively losing more heat than you can provide.

Although it might seem outdated, a compass is the best navigation tool money can buy. There are a few reasons why it’s an essential item. No matter where you are, a compass can point you in the right direction. On top of that, a compass works independently of anything else.

Accidents can happen when you least expect it. Unlike other emergencies, medical emergencies are difficult to prepare for despite being the most likely to happen. Medical emergencies often require immediate attention and quick response times therefore it is essential to have the necessary training and equipment on-hand.

If you’re venturing outside for an extended period, take a moment to apprise yourself of certain basic outdoor survival skills (like foraging for food, starting a fire, or building shelter). These skills can increase your chances of survival if you’re stuck in the remote wilderness.

Learning basic survival skills—like first aid, building different types of shelters, and foraging for wild plants—will help you safely make it back to camp (or civilization) on a wilderness trip.