World Extreme Medicine Podcast

In this episode our host Kevin Grange, speaks to Jon Politis, a veteran in emergency medical services, a backbone of EMS education, and a leader who's seen the evolution of the field from the ground up. From Jon’s early days of being mesmerised by fire trucks and ambulances to the respected positions he's held as the retired chief of the Colony EMS Department and an educator with the Jenny...

In this episode, we sit down with Jen Dorward, a fascinating guest who takes us on a journey through her experiences as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and a reality TV star. Jen shares insights into her time on the show 007: Road to a Million, where she and her partner Beth underwent intense challenges and high-stakes pressure. From her military background to her resilience in the face of health c...

In this episode we're thrilled to have two key figures in the field of extreme medicine join our host Sarah Spelsberg: Dr Chris Imray and Dr Nat Taylor. Dr. Imray, a seasoned vascular and renal transplant surgeon, and world leading frostbite expert, and Dr. Taylor, not only a GP for the British army but also an active member in the Girl Guide movement, will deep dive into the world of biometri...

In today's episode, we have a fascinating discussion with Dr. Barry McKenna. We will be delving into his epic Inside Passage charity kayak expedition. He'll fill us in on the preparation, challenges, and life-changing experiences they faced during this daunting, yet rewarding journey. Barry highlights the role and pressure of being the medic on the team and the divide it sometimes creates,...

Puneet Gupta is a seasoned professional in the niche but vital field of tactical and search and rescue medicine, a journey that started in the diverse landscapes of Michigan. His hands-on approach saw him diving into waters with search teams, equipped with dry suit training to ensure readiness for any situation. In the intense realm of tactical medicine, Gupta was side-by-side with SWAT teams, nav...

Today, we're diving deep into the experiences of Dr. Matthew Jones, who courageously spent ten intense months offering medical services in South Sudan, the world's youngest nation. We'll explore the concept of delivering medical aid in hard-to-reach, resource-poor regions, the gratifying yet challenging experiences of tightening the bolts of the healthcare systems there, and the inspir...

In this episode we're diving into the immense challenges and nuances of desert medicine with none other than Taryn Anderson, an experienced nurse and humanitarian, who has faced the front lines of natural disasters and global health crises, such as the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. Taryn brings with her a wealth of knowledge from her time coordinating the Desert Medicine course for World Ext...

In this episode we have a captivating conversation with James Dyer, a renowned adventurer, and expedition leader. With an extensive background spanning over 50 expeditions and numerous remote locations around the world, James has a wealth of knowledge to share about leadership, decision-making, and the vital importance of competence, currency, and credibility. We will delve into topics such as the...

Joining us today are podcast host Dr Shawna Pandya, Dr Erik Antonsen, and Dr Dana Levin, pioneers in the field of space medicine, to dissect the current state of aerospace medicine residency funding, the imperative of global collaboration, and the philosophical shifts shaping the next generation of spacefarers. They'll delve into the waters of international cooperation against the backdrop of...

Today we are joined by Dr. Gaby Nel, who has conquered not only insurmountable peaks but also the boundaries of human resilience and courage. An empowering tale of survival, courage and determination awaits you as Gaby, the youngest South African woman and doctor to summit Everest, shares her breathtaking recollections from Everest's death zone. With frostbitten fingers and trekking through th...

On today's episode we have an emergency medicine doctor, Dr. Luke Mueller, sharing his harrowing story of survival following a mountaineering accident on the Isle of Skye. He recalls the day he set out on the Dubh ridge Scramble alone, subsequently leading to a big void in his memory and awakening to a painful reality weeks later in a hospital. Dr. Luke will dive deep into the details of his r...

In this conversation, we will examine some of the current reflections on the Ukraine crisis with David and Shawn. We will examine what it is currently like on the ground, some of the emerging needs and how David and Shawn believe they can be met. We dig into David and Shawn’s background in Ukraine and how this has evolved over time. We will look at our guest's anecdotal reflections on the conf...

In this episode we will look at the recent changes to the newly revised second edition of ABC of Prehospital Emergency Medicine. We will examine some of the updates to PHEM covered in the book and the recent evidence-based practice and expert opinion that encompasses the PHEM training curriculum. We will examine the three main domains that the updated edition addresses which are operational, clini...

Our host Kevin Grange is joined by Mike Lauria. Mike is not just an emergency medicine physician, but also served in the US Air Force as a pararescueman. From ski patrolling to firefighting, to working with various special operations organisations, his career span is as diverse as it gets. Today, Mike will be sharing his insights on dealing with high-stress situations in medicine, rooted in his mu...

In today's episode we delve into the critical topic of responder wellbeing. We are joined by Matt Walton who offers insights into the psychological support often lacking in the field and the importance of acknowledging the impact of traumatic events on responders. Among the issues we'll be discussing are the prevalence of PTSD symptoms, the effects of night shifts, and the role of leadersh...

Welcome back to the World Extreme Medicine Podcast! In today's episode, this time, we dive into the world of composed sailing medicine with our special guest, Dr. Jamie Jordan. Jamie is an experienced adventurer with vast knowledge in remote and austere settings. He is no stranger to the challenges of providing medical care while sailing in the vast oceans. Join us as we delve into Jamie's...

Welcome back to the World Extreme Medicine podcast, where we delve into fascinating and sometimes unexpected stories from the world of expedition medicine. In today's episode, we join host Ffyon Davies as she takes us on a journey to the Himalayas, where a team of doctors finds themselves facing unique challenges and making life-saving decisions in a high-altitude, low-resource setting. From t...

In this episode, we speak to our new World Extreme Medicine host Marcus Stevens.  Marcus is a GP with a longstanding interest in expedition and remote medicine and years of experience working in a variety of resource poor settings. Whilst at medical school he was President of the Oxford Wilderness Medicine Society and in his final year completed his elective with Simien Mountains Mobile Medical Se...

Welcome to part two of the conversation between Dr. Ffyon Davies, and Dr. Benjamin Alba. Ben has gone on to be the doctor for an Everest Base Camp trek and has just finished a season as one of the Everest Base Camp doctors. Following his experiences at Everest Base Camp, he was inspired to write an open essay entitled 'Everest 2023: The Season of Death,' highlighting some of the misconcept...

Welcome to the World Extreme Medicine Podcast. Our host, Dr. Ffyon Davies, an emergency medicine and expedition doctor, speaks with Dr. Benjamin Alba. Ben has gone on to be the doctor for an Everest Base Camp trek and has just finished a season as one of the Everest Base Camp doctors. Following his experiences at Everest Base Camp, he was inspired to write an open essay entitled 'Everest 2023:...

From the jungles of Cambodia during the final days of the Khmer Rouge in 1979 to the chaos of Baghdad in 2016, Combat Civilian is the powerful story of the response to human catastrophe over four decades. Turning his back on the convention of a comfortable career in a family business, Gilbert Greenall has quietly dedicated the last four decades of his life to helping others through forty humanitar...

Welcome to the World Extreme Medicine podcast. In today's conversation, we'll tackle a complex question: How do we define excellence in emergency care? We'll explore the idea that true excellence isn't just avoiding mistakes - it's actively balancing safety and proficiency. We'll look at how individuals and teams evolve in crisis situations, becoming more excellent versions...

In this episode, we will hear from Mohamed Abu Breeg about the recent flooding in and around the Libyan coastal city of Derna. In the early hours of Sept. 11, residents of Derna woke up to loud explosions before  floodwaters swept through the Mediterranean city.  This was due to heavy rain fall and the breeching of two dams releasing 3 million cubic litres of water. This wall of water was up to tw...

In this episode we will look at the benefit and utility of Methoxyflurane, more commonly known as Penthrox. Penthrox is a volatile, self-administered inhalation analgesic indicated for short-term pain relief. Penthrox is a portable, lightweight, non-invasive inhaler for self-administration of the Methoxyflurane vapor. The Methoxyflurane vapour provides analgesia when inhaled at low concentrations....

We speak to some of the most extreme medics in some of the world's most remote locations, due to this there can sometimes be an issue with sound quality, so there are a few quality dips in this episode, but we felt it was an important conversation to share. Welcome back to the podcast that explores the exhilarating world of extreme medicine. In today's episode, we delve into the impact of...