World Extreme Medicine Podcast

In this in-depth episode, Sarah is joined by the incredible Bill Griggs, a highly acclaimed Australian physician and trauma specialist who has left a mark on the field of medicine through his innovative contributions to trauma care and disaster response.  With his career spanning over four decades, Bill has been a true pioneer in the development of life-saving techniques, including the Griggs Tech...

This week Lauren McKenna sits down with Tom Roffe-Silvester, co-founder and managing director of the Veterinary Task Force and Exped Vet. Tom shares his journey working with operational working dogs in the military and how this experience led him to create a company that provides essential veterinary care solutions for working dogs in challenging environments. He also discusses the groundbreaking...

Ben LaBrot, founder and CEO of Floating Doctors , joins us this episode where he shares his incredible journey of delivering healthcare to remote, underserved communities around the world. Ben discusses the challenges and rewards of providing medical care in resource-limited settings, the importance of building trust with patients, and the profound impact that humanitarian work can have on both he...

In this podcast episode, we sit down with Jessica Thomas-Mourne, a specialist paramedic in critical care working with Devon Air Ambulance in the UK. Jessica shares her research on gender inequality within the pre-hospital emergency medicine environment, highlighting the challenges faced by women in this field and offering practical recommendations to bridge the gender gap. From biased recruitment...

In this captivating episode, we are honoured to be joined by the esteemed Dr. Michael Harrison, MD PhD MPH FAsMA, a leading authority in the field of aerospace medicine. Dr. Harrison currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Hercules Medical Group, a renowned Texas-based entity dedicated to providing comprehensive medical care and consultation to Axiom Space and their astronauts. With an im...

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with Marius Rehn , Editor-in-Chief of the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, about the ins and outs of publishing research in an academic journal. They discuss the importance of aligning research with the scope of the chosen journal, common mistakes authors make when submitting manuscr...

In this episode, Sarah Spelsberg is joined by the brilliant Mabli Davies , an anaesthetics trainee and expert in women's health in extreme environments. Mabli shares her personal experiences and research on managing menstruation, pregnancy, and reproductive health in the world's most challenging conditions. Drawing from her master's dissertation on menstruation management and suppressi...

Welcome to Diversity Week! In this special episode, a diverse panel of medical professionals, eye surgeon and Sikh warrior Pavandeep Singh , NHS & wilderness expedition Dentist Burjor Langdana , emergency physician and paediatrician Terez Malka, explorer, aquanaut, MD & Director of space medicine group Astronautics Institute Shawna Pandya , UK GP studying tropical medicine Chern Lim, and G...

In this episode, Niccolo Stomeo, an anaesthesia and intensive care resident at Humanitas University in Milan, joins us to discuss his groundbreaking study on the role of remote teleradiology, X-ray, and POCUS at mass motorcycle events. Nico shares his firsthand experience from the 2021 International Six Days of Enduro, a challenging and dynamic race spanning a vast area between Lombardia and Piemo...

In this riveting episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, we sit down with WEM faculty Lucy Williams, a seasoned paediatric nurse who recently returned from a life-altering deployment to Gaza with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). From the relative normalcy of Egypt to the war-torn streets of Gaza, Lucy takes us on an emotional journey through her experiences working in a hospital mere meters...

In this conversation with Luca Carenzo, we delve into the complexities and challenges surrounding Exercise Associated Collapse (EAC). Drawing from a recent publication in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport titled " An Unusual Case of Marathon-related Exercise-associated Collapse: Case Report and Some Considerations for Medical Care at Endurance Mass Participation Events ," we u...

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, we're taking you on a journey through the rugged, untamed wilderness of Sardinia, Italy, as we explore the legendary Selvaggio Blu expedition. Join host Eoin Walker as he sits down with Luca Alfatti, an experienced expedition leader, advanced paramedic, and faculty member with World Extreme Medicine, to uncover the secrets of this awe-insp...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of drowning and cold water immersion with Mike Tipton, a leading UK academic in the field. Mike shares his insights on the current guidelines for pre-hospital management of drowning, the epidemiology of drowning, and the important efforts in public awareness and prevention. We delve into the drowning process, including the pathophysiology from the...

Join us welcoming Ryan Atkinson, an award-winning hostile environment trained cameraman, back to the World Extreme Medicine podcast. In this thrilling episode, Ryan shares his experience filming the 2016 expedition to the heart of Africa, where he and a team of scientists immersed themselves in the active Nyiragongo volcano to study and discover the warning signs of a potential eruption. Ryan disc...

In this fascinating episode, we are joined by Jen Pond, a Doctor who has practiced medicine in some of the most remote and challenging environments on all seven continents. From providing primary care in the Indian Himalayas and managing anthrax outbreaks in rural Zambia, to supporting climbers at Everest Base Camp and treating severe frostbite in Antarctica, Jen has built an incredible breadth of...

Join us as we explore the groundbreaking work of the Norwegian Air Ambulance (NOLAS), one of the world's most advanced HEMS services, with special guest Marius Rehn, a luminary in pre-hospital critical care. Marius, a consultant anaesthesiologist, senior researcher, and professor, brings unparalleled insights into NOLAS's unique service model, which employs flight crews of nurses and docto...

In this episode Jamie Pattison, a winch paramedic, recounts his deployment to Morocco with UKISAR (U.K. International Search and Rescue) following the devastating earthquake. He shares the emotions of arriving onsite to mass destruction and loss of life, the resilience required for working 16 hour shifts, and the camaraderie that develops between rescue teams. Jamie compares the rigorous training...

Joining us in this episode is the remarkably resourceful Kate Dawson, a rural general practitioner who has cared for the rugged Scottish islands of Uist for over 30 years. From managing trauma cases with scarce resources to coordinating care across isolated communities, Kate brings us her invaluable perspective from the remote frontlines. She reveals the personal touches in building longtime docto...

Joining us in this episode is the remarkably knowledgeable Amy Boalch, a GP trainee with an inexhaustible passion for sports, exercise medicine, and the gruelling world of long-distance running. From tackling the contentious issue of race clearance forms to the disparities in health screenings across borders, Amy brings us her invaluable perspective. She reveals the personal touches in her coachin...

In this episode we sit down with the multifaceted Tyler Butterworth, an Army National Guard member with an impressive resume including roles as an EMT, firefighter, police officer, detective, and farmer. Tyler, who has embraced his quirky last name "Butterworth duh syrup," brings to the table a unique perspective on using humour as an effective tool to cut through the tension in high-str...

In this episode, expedition medic Ben Cooper shares cautionary tales revealing why you should never skip basic wound care in the wilderness. You’ll hear the story of how a minor cut led to a man’s frostbitten thumb being partially amputated during an Antarctica summit attempt - costing him $70K! It powerfully spotlights why immediate bandaging matters. Discover essential strategies for backcountry...

Whether you're preparing for a high-altitude climb, running an ultramarathon, or embarking on a demanding expedition, today's episode is packed with wisdom that could be pivotal for your success. Joining us is Ben Turner, the Avenger coach, a former soldier turned extreme endurance challenger, ready to share his incredible insights into the fuel that drives exceptional physical feats. Ben&...

In this episode we dive deep into the extraordinary experiences of Marc-David Munk, an emergency doctor who served as a flight surgeon in 11 East African countries. We explore his newly published book, Urgent Calls from Distant Places , which documents his time in Africa and the challenges he faced in providing healthcare amidst severe trauma, disease, and diverse pathology. Marc shares his journe...

On this episode we have the pleasure of speaking with Gemma Aldridge, whose expertise as a practice development nurse and mountain leader fuels our conversation. Gemma brings to the table a unique blend of experience with young people, and an unyielding passion for expedition medicine. We're going to explore the multifaceted benefits of bringing young people into the great outdoors, where they...

In this episode prepare to embark on a journey through John's vast experiences, from the intense heat of desert operations to the cruel cold of high-altitude rescues. Learn why a simple survival blanket or a strip of duct tape can make the difference between life and death. John will bring us into the heart of collaboration efforts with the Anchorage Fire Department, to save lives amidst the p...