Surviving the Death Zone - News and Highlights
Posted by Jeremy Windsor on Jun 22, 2018
Jeremy Windsor
From the feedback we've received its clear that there's an appetite for more mountain medicine! With that in mind, we're devising a series of one day courses in the Peak District for all those who might be interested. It will be pitched at those who already have some experience in the field and want a friendly and accessible way to update their knowledge!
The courses will be small - just 10 to 20 attendees and a small group of faculty members. CPD points will be available and the cost will be kept as low as possible. The day will be divided into a series of interactive presentations followed by an organised afternoon spent either caving, mountain biking or hiking.
The first date will be in June 2019. If you're keen to attend please let me know!
Now for some more highlights from this years course...
The site of Jon's accident - Aladdin's Mirror Direct in the Cairngorms
1 - Jon Naylor - During Jon's 20 minutes you could have heard a pin drop! Listening to him describe his ice climbing accident and the lengthy treatment he received was a sobering experience ("there for the grace of God..."). This was lightened by the melodrama of some fantastic TV footage and Jon's dry sense of humour. Unless you've been through an experience like Jon's its impossible to truly understand the patient's journey. Talks like his give you the next best thing!
2 - Andy Cave - "It's Andy Cave!" I overheard an excited audience member whisper to his friend as he entered the room. Yes, hidden away at the back of the Memorial Hall, Andy could be found surrounded by the latest down clothing and footwear from Rab. The audience I sat with was brimming with ideas, comments and questions. These were marshalled expertly by Andy, who with typical thoughtfulness and expertise, ensured that audience members left with no excuse to be cold in the mountains again!
3 - Chris Imray and Sarah Hollis - What a double act! Both Chris and Sarah provided fascinating accounts of the management of cold injuries. Chris' recent research and Sarah's vast clinical experience meant that we couldn't have received a better overview of this very important topic.
4 - The Great Debate - Emily Bebbington and Sarah Wysling showed just what a good debate can do! The focus was on the pro's and con's of prescribing acetazolamide to youngsters on Kilimanjaro. Over the course of thirty minutes the audience changed their minds and eventually sided with Emily! Along the way there were laughs, boo's and cheers, as well as lots of comments from an enthusiastic audience!
5 - Ed Douglas - On Wednesday the author and journalist Ed Douglas spoke about the importance of human factors in "Surviving the Death Zone". It proved to be a compelling talk, doing away with slides, the audience were forced to think about the most important question of all - "why do we venture into the Death Zone?" Ed was able to use the interviews he undertook in writing "The Magician's Glass" to show us that there's no easy answers!
Copies of "The Magician's Glass" are available from www.v-publishing.co.uk
Comments
Leave a comment.