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With the help of the British Mountain Medicine Society and UCLan, we have recently launched a series of twelve posts designed to help those searching for mountain medicine CPD.

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.

For the start of our mountain medicine CPD series click here.

Meanwhile here's three more topics to get you thinking...

Mountaineering rarely stands still - equipment, clothing and tactics are forever changing. Two brilliant podcasts highlight this - the first features well respected mountain guide Jon Gupta and focuses upon his recent success on guiding a commercial group to the summit of the world's third highest mountain - Kanchenjunga (8586m). Meanwhile, the second is a celebration of the highly technical Slovak Direct Route on Denali. This brings together leading alpinists like Steve House to discuss how recent advances mean that this long multi day route can now be climbed in a single day.

if you're looking at how best to prepare physically for your own mountaineering trips look no further than Steve House's book (written with Scott Johnston), Training For The New Alpinism. 

In recent years the incredible work of porters, particular those in the Himalayas, has been the focus of several films. Arguably, the most impressive is The Porter and this is now free to view online.

Mountain Medicine CPD - (21) Personal first aid kit and mountaineering equipment.

Mountain Medicine CPD - (22) Mountaineering techniques in summer and winter.

July is the time to get out to the Alps! The Alpine Club provides an English translation of La Chamoniarde's weekly mountain conditions report. UKClimbing shares information on what's already been climbed here*

For many years we've used acetazolamide as our first choice drug for preventing acute mountain sickness (AMS). But there's still a lot of questions about the drug that still need answering. Let's start with an obvious one - what is the right dose? Take a look at this. When should it be started? The evening before ascent or on the day? An answer can found here. Are there any good alternatives to acetazolamide? Ibuprofen? See this. What about treating AMS? With ibuprofen? Metoclopramide? Take a look at this. Paracetamol? Here!

It's often said that AMS is "self limiting". I'm not really sure what that means. The symptoms can lead to some life threatening situations. Sounds a bit far fetched? Why not read this case of severe AMS?

How would you give a reasonable description of AMS in 5 minutes or less? Try this!

Does Gingko Biloba work? Find out here.

For other options in AMS management take a look at the latest update from the Wilderness Medical Society.

Mountain Medicine CPD - (2) Altitude and its illnesses.

At this time of year there's a good chance of one or two dry days in the Lake District. Why not set yourself a challenge to climb the Wainwrights? All 214 might be a challenge over a couple of days, but there's help at hand if you have a bit longer! Peak Bagging Wainwrights by Karen and Dan Parker divides the peaks into a series of manageable walks. A really great way to see the Lake District up close!*

Finally, let's take a look at the consequences of hypothermia. Here's a recent case study from Antarctica that involved a helicopter pilot who fell down a crevasse and was trapped for several hours until rescue. The case identifies a number of learning points that will help those managing hypothermic patients in remote areas. There's also a recent description of an incredible 16 hour rescue effort on Denali. Central to this case was recognising, "the need to continue extrication and treatment efforts for a cold patient even when survival with hypothermia seems impossible."

A good case of hypothermia in the UK (featuring yours truly!) can be found here.

The comprehensive WMS guidelines on the management of hypothermia can be found here.

Mountain Medicine CPD - (4) Hypothermia 

Why not try the opera "Everest"? It's available on BBC iPlayer for the rest of the month!

If you're looking for an online course that can provide you with all the medical information you need for trips to high altitude take a look at this!

For Mountain Medicine CPD Part 4 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.