
Mountain Medicine CPD Part 2
Posted by Jeremy Windsor on Jun 9, 2023
Last month, with the help of the British Mountain Medicine Society and UCLan, we launched the first in a series of twelve posts designed to help those searching for mountain medicine CPD. Many thanks to all of you who took the time to provide feedback!
Each month we're planning to publish a post that will be packed full of mountain medicine CPD ideas - whether they're face-to-face courses, webinars or all manner of text, audio and video materials. We'll also include ideas on how to brush up on practical skills. So if you're involved in delivering mountain medicine why not subscribe to the blog and receive these posts as soon as they're published?
Each topic is mapped to the Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM) syllabus. For more information about recording your CPD take a look at this.
Here's three more topics to get you thinking...
Let's start with diabetes mellitus. A recent report from Diabetes UK estimates that the number of people living with diabetes mellitus in the UK has now exceeded 5 million people. Approximately 150,000 are aged under 40. Managing the disease in the mountain environment can be challenging, however there's now a considerable amount of experience to tap into.
Read about Jerry Gore's approach to managing his diabetes during a speed ascent of the Eiger's north face. More on the practical aspects of monitoring and treating diabetes in a mountain environment can be found here. For a deep dive, why not take a look at the WMS Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diabetes Management?
Mountain Medicine CPD - (10) Effects of pre-existing clinical conditions.
Early summer is a good time to head into the Scottish mountains. Why not head to Skye? A few Munro's? Or what about something more ambitious - a traverse of the Black Cuillins? Skye's Cuillin Ridge Traverse is the perfect guidebook! See this interview with author Adrian Trendall*
Last year I persuaded several very knowlegeable mountain biking medical folk to tell me about traumatic MTB injuries. I learnt a lot and managed to write some blogs - Part 1 (soft tissue injuries) and Part 2 (bony injuries). They're a real eye opener for those of us who's cycling experience is limited to a commute to work!
Whilst traumatic injuries are a common reason to summon the help of mountain rescue services, recent research has revealed that there is a number of reasons to call for help - not least, exhaustion.
The consequences of life changing traumatic injuries are well described in Pete Rowlands' fascinating new book, "Over The Brink". A review can be found here. Similarly, Brian Hall's award winning book, "Going High" describes the impact of losing several friends in the mountains. An interview with Brian can be found here.
Finally, a special mention to Ashley Saupe's "The Sharp End" and the resources provided by the Climbing Grief Fund. Both provide fascinating insights into the impact trauma has upon victims as well as their friends and families.
Mountain Medicine CPD - (3) Nutrition, fluid balance and exhaustion.
Mountain Medicine CPD - (28) Death in the mountains.
Mountain Medicine CPD - (29) Alpine sports accidents
Talking about objectives for early summer - what about linking together all of the Welsh 3000 foot peaks in a single journey? Walk it and wild camp on the route, otherwise run and make it into a single long day!*
Let's finish off with some urology! Ever since I heard the story of someone being catheterised for urinary retention at K2's Base Camp, I've carried a catheter in my medical kit - hoping I'll never need to use it! Here's a thorough and highly practical review of the common urological emergencies that you may encounter in the remote environment. The management of parasitic infections is particularly interesting!
How would you advise someone with a kidney transplant who's planning to climb Kilimanjaro? Read about a real life case here.
Mountain Medicine CPD - (12) Travel medicine.
Mountain Medicine CPD - (13) Infection control and water management.
For Mountain Medicine CPD Part 3 click here.
*Mountain Medicine CPD - (22) Mountaineering techniques in summer and winter.
Thanks for reading this post. If this is your thing why don't you take a look at other posts on the blog? Better still, why not join the British Mountain Medicine Society? More information can be found here
For more information about the University of Central Lancashire's Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM) take a look at this.
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