We’re committed to ensuring extreme medicine education can reach all medical, healthcare and supporting professionals working in austere environments. With regular updates, our team brings you the latest from across the broad spectrum of extreme medicine disciplines, including expedition, space, remote, pre-hospital and humanitarian medicine as well as a range of topics across performance and non-technical skills. Enhance your ability to tackle challenges with new skills you can take home or out…
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In this episode, host Eoin Walker is joined by Clare O’Brien , a registered nurse whose career spans more than three decades across the NHS, humanitarian crises, and global health leadership. From intensive care and organ transplantation in the UK to frontline deployments in South Sudan, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, and Ethiopia, Clare shares what it really means to work in extreme, resource-limited…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker sits down with infection control specialist Muhammad Halwani to explore what it really takes to prevent and manage infectious disease threats in extreme environments. From the early days of MERS in 2012 to the global arrival of COVID 19, Muhammad walks through the realities of outbreak response in Saudi Arabia, the challenges…
From remote surf camps in Indonesia to some of the most isolated islands in the South Atlantic, Gemma van Huyssteen has built a career shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and medicine far beyond hospital walls. In this episode, Gemma shares her journey as a GP with extensive experience in remote, wilderness, and marine environments. She talks candidly about working in settings where evacuation can…
In this episode, Sarah Spelsberg speaks with Luca Carenzo and Laura Leuci from Humanitas University in Milan about their research into the pre-hospital management of accidental hypothermia across Italy’s helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). Their nationwide survey, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine , offers a detailed look at how…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast , host Eoin Walker speaks with Corinne Palma , a recently graduated veterinarian from University College Dublin and Vice President of the International Veterinary Students’ Association. Together, they explore how veterinary medicine extends far beyond the clinic — from field anaesthesia innovations and drone-assisted wildlife monitoring to the…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast , host Eoin Walker speaks with Simon Robinson , former Royal Marine Commando Paramedic turned Head of Clinical Development in Urgent Care. Together, they explore the evolving role of paramedics in primary care, from emergency response to diagnosis, prescribing, and leading multidisciplinary teams. Simon shares insights on: The transition from…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, we explore one of the most talked-about studies in pre-hospital trauma care: “Beyond IO and IV - Trauma Lines in Pre-Hospital Haemorrhagic Shock.” Host Eoin Walker is joined by Paolo Pallavicini , final-year medical student and research fellow with London’s Air Ambulance and the Centre for Trauma Sciences, to unpack a groundbreaking study…
From conflict zones to refugee camps, from neonatal units to global health leadership—nurses are at the heart of humanitarian medicine. In this episode, host Eoin Walker is joined by Elsa Afonso and Marcus Wootton from the Royal College of Nursing’s International Academy . Together they bring decades of frontline and strategic experience with organisations including MSF, UNICEF, and academic…
At just 28 years old, Rachel Smith is preparing to make history. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before her third birthday, she has never let her condition define her limits. Already having summited the highest peaks in South America, Africa, and Australia, Rachel now sets her sights on Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest peak at 4,892m. In this conversation with host Eoin Walker , Rachel shares her…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with Leif Rognås (consultant anaesthetist and clinical lead with the Danish Air Ambulance) and Karina Damsgaard (psychologist specialising in emergency medicine and resilience in high-performance teams). Together, they unpack the concept of Compassionate Debriefing, an approach designed to replace traditional “honest…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker is joined by Hannah Lock , an emergency medicine doctor, expedition specialist, and seasoned mountaineer with experience across six continents. Together, they go beyond the basics of acute mountain sickness (AMS) to explore the lesser-known high-altitude illnesses and how they’re managed in the field. From HAPE and HACE to…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with Luke Apisa about his extraordinary journey from wilderness medicine to space medicine. Luke shares insights from treating climbers at 14,000 feet in Nepal, supporting ultramarathon runners in the deserts of Arizona and Utah, and helping to develop future medical capabilities for space exploration with NASA and…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, Eoin Walker sits down with chef, explorer, and researcher Mike Keen to unpack an extraordinary Arctic journey. Mike kayaked the entire 3,000km length of Greenland’s rugged west coast, surviving solely on a traditional Inuit diet of seal, whale, dried fish, and wild foraged plants. Working with researchers at King’s College London, he tested…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker is joined by Luca Carenzo , intensive care consultant, and Federico Emiliano Ghio , critical care nurse and medical lead for high-altitude emergency services in Livigno , Italy, one of the busiest ski resorts in the Alps. From sub-zero slopes and altitude-induced illness to managing cardiac arrests at 2800m with no hospital in…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with Mardi Steere, Executive General Manager of Medical and Retrieval Services at the Royal Flying Doctor Service , about a groundbreaking innovation in rural healthcare delivery, the Virtual Emergency Centre (VEC). Operating in one of the most remote regions of Australia, the VEC integrates telehealth, remote…
What happens when your first major expedition is one of the world’s Seven Summits? In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, emergency medicine doctor Ffyon Smith is joined by Kacylia Roy Proulx , a medical student at McGill University and President of her university’s Wilderness Medicine Society. Together, they explore Kacylia’s experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, from early…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker is joined by expedition doctor, GP, and WEM faculty member Daniel Grace to explore the essential medications needed for remote and high-risk environments. From his recent work in Zambia, Daniel unpacks real-world pharmacology strategies: what drugs matter most, how to balance ideal vs. realistic care, and how to make limited…
What does it take to finish one of the most extreme endurance races on the planet? In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker is joined by ultra-endurance athlete Sébastien Marlier, who recently completed the Bretzel Ultra Triathlon — a continuous event five times longer than a standard Ironman. With 19km of swimming, 900km of cycling, and 211km of running, this race…
In the final part of our 3-part series marking the anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings, we hear from paramedic Sam Sinclair, who was deployed to Tavistock Square, the site of the fourth and final explosion. Sam shares his experience of arriving on scene, witnessing the scale of the devastation, and making impossible decisions under pressure. In this conversation with WEM’s Eoin Walker, he…
In Part 2 of our 20 year anniversary series on the 7/7 London bombings, paramedic Adam Desmond shares his deeply personal and unflinchingly honest account of responding to the attacks at King's Cross. Speaking with WEM’s Eoin Walker, Adam reflects on the chaos, the human cost, and the enduring psychological impact of working at the heart of one of the UK’s worst terrorist attacks. From navigating…
In this special 3-part podcast series marking 20 years since the 7/7 London bombings, we begin with a personal testimony from paramedic & WEM podcast host Eoin Walker, who was just one year out of training when he found himself responding to the worst terrorist attack in UK history. In Part 1 hosted by Will Duffin, Eoin shares what it was like to arrive at the scene, navigate confusion and risk,…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine podcast, Eoin Walker speaks with humanitarian health leader Hareen De Silva about his recent deployments in Gaza, Syria, and beyond. From mass casualty incidents and waterborne disease outbreaks to the psychological toll on healthcare workers, Hareen shares vital insights into what it takes to deliver medical care in conflict zones. We explore: The…
What do helicopters, humanitarian crises, and high-pressure hospital wards have in common? In this episode, we sit down with Jan Becker, CEO, helicopter pilot, midwife, and international educator, to explore the vital role of non-technical skills in high-stakes environments. From aviation to midwifery to emergency medicine, Jan unpacks Crew Resource Management (CRM), situational awareness,…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, WEM's Sarah Spelsberg is joined by emergency physician and seasoned kayaker Robert Knopp to explore what happens when outdoor adventure meets unexpected injury. Together, they dive into shoulder dislocations in the wilderness; from real-life field reductions to improvised rescue gear, and what every paddler or outdoor leader should know before…
Cara Sheppard is the Senior Medical Officer at Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS) , an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Western Australia's East Pilbara. In this episode, Marcus chats with Cara about what it really means to deliver healthcare in remote desert communities, where cultural safety, chronic disease, and deep-rooted systemic challenges intersect. From the…
In this powerful episode, Eoin sits down with Ryan Ahlgren — a wilderness and humanitarian medicine practitioner whose career spans some of the most challenging environments on the planet. From frontline trauma care during the ISIL occupation in Iraq, to medevac operations in Ukraine, to six-week stints deep in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, Ryan shares what it's really like to provide medical…
Meet Shawna Pandya, Physician, Neuroscientist, and now Canada’s First Female Commercial Astronaut. In this inspiring episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, we sit down with Shawna to unpack her journey from childhood dreams of space to preparing for her Virgin Galactic mission. We explore: Her selection as part of the Virgin Galactic research crew The science behind her mission, including…
In this episode, we explore the deeply rooted and culturally rich world of First Nations healthcare in Australia with Dr Sarah Chalmers; Rural Generalist, former President of the Australian College of Remote and Rural Medicine (ACRRM ), and President-Elect of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia. With over 15 years of experience working in East Arnhem Land and North Queensland, Sarah shares…
🎧 A quick note on audio quality: Due to remote recording, some parts of this episode may not be as clear as usual. We appreciate your patience and promise the insights are well worth the listen! What happens when critical care leaves the hospital and takes to the skies? In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast , we sit down with Mina Arsanious , an expedition doctor and anaesthetic…
In this episode, we dive into the fast-paced world of event medicine in remote Australia with Prashan Kuruppu, a rural generalist anaesthetist and Member of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Assessment Committee, with extensive experience in Outback and retrieval medicine. From high-speed trauma and medical crises in extreme weather conditions to the unique challenges of…
53 Days. 700 Miles. Alone in Antarctica. What does it take to survive completely alone in one of the most extreme environments on Earth? In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast , we sit down with Cat Burford , also known as The Molar Explorer . A dentist by profession and an adventurer at heart, Cat took on a solo, unsupported ski expedition to the South Pole , covering over 700…
In this episode we explore the evolution of remote and rural healthcare in Australia with Claire Arundell , a Rural Generalist Anaesthetist from country Victoria and Chair of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Council. Claire shares her journey from completing her medical degree at Monash University to becoming an ACRRM medical educator, course facilitator, and passionate…
Note: We apologise for any varying audio quality in this episode. As Faye joined us from Tonga with breaching whales in the background (how cool is that?!), there are some moments where the sound fluctuates. We believe the incredible content and unique perspective from (literally) the other side of the world was worth preserving, even if the audio isn't perfect. Thanks for understanding -…
In this inaugural episode of our partnership with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) , we journey into the heart of Australia's remote healthcare system with Marian Dover , ACRRM's 2024 Rural Registrar of the Year. From performing emergency caesarean sections to building deep community bonds, discover how rural generalists are revolutionising healthcare in some of the most…
Join primatologist Elodie Freymann as she reveals fascinating discoveries about how wild chimpanzees self-medicate using forest plant Alstonia boonei. Through nine months of field research, Elodie observed chimps selecting specific barks, leaves, and other plant materials to treat wounds and infections - practices that often overlap with traditional human medicine. She discusses groundbreaking…
Join Sarah Spelsberg as she speaks with NASA experts John Haynes and Helena Chapman about how NASA's unique vantage point from space helps monitor and address global health challenges. Discover how satellite data is being used to track everything from air pollution and urban heat islands to disease outbreaks and extreme weather events. Learn about NASA's free resources for healthcare professionals…
Join Sarah Spelsberg as she interviews pioneering wildlife veterinary surgeon Romain Pizzi, who has performed groundbreaking surgeries in nearly 50 countries across six continents. From conducting the world's first keyhole appendectomy on a wild orangutan to performing brain surgery on a bear in the jungles of Laos, Romain shares incredible stories of improvising surgical equipment and pushing the…
Explorer and BBC presenter Will Millard takes us deep into the jungles of Papua New Guinea, sharing his extraordinary experiences living with the Korowai tribe. From debunking myths about 50-meter-high tree houses to nearly starving during the rainy season, Will reveals the raw reality of jungle survival and indigenous life. He discusses how a near-death experience in 2012 transformed his approach…
Join Sarah Spelsberg as she interviews emergency physician Faye Lee, who has created an extraordinary medical career spanning from Antarctic research stations to expedition ships. From performing emergency surgeries in remote locations to providing care on Indian reservations, Faye shares how embracing unconventional opportunities led her to practice medicine in some of the world's most extreme…
In this episode host Eoin Walker delves into the remarkable humanitarian aeromedical retrieval mission carried out during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in April 2022. Guests Federico Ghio and Andrea Tomaselli share their firsthand experiences of using a long-range commercial Airbus A320 to evacuate vulnerable refugees from the war zone. Join us as we explore the innovative adaptation of a commercial…
Join Sarah Spelsberg as she interviews Kevin Grange, firefighter paramedic and award-winning author, about his latest book " Grizzly Confidential. " Dive into the fascinating world of North America's most fearsome predator, exploring the challenges of human-bear coexistence, the importance of conservation, and the surprising intelligence of these magnificent creatures. From Yellowstone to Alaska,…
In this second part of our conversation with Tim Harvey, we delve into his journey through clinical education and his transition to medicine. Tim shares invaluable insights on teaching philosophy, managing change in healthcare settings, and the challenges of introducing new roles like nursing associates. He discusses the importance of balancing work and life, especially during intense humanitarian…
In this gripping two-part episode of the podcast, Eoin Walker sits down with Tim Harvey, a former humanitarian nurse turned medical student. Tim shares his harrowing experiences working in some of the world's most dangerous and desperate locations. From treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone to managing mass casualties in war-torn Afghanistan, Tim provides a raw and unfiltered look into the…
Join us for an insightful journey into the world of adventure travel with seasoned explorers Ffyon Smith (née Davies) and Gemma Aldridge. In this episode, our guests share invaluable tips on planning, safety, cultural sensitivity, and overcoming challenges in remote destinations. From navigating language barriers to handling emergencies, Ffyon and Gemma offer practical advice drawn from their…
We're pleased to welcome back Daniel Grace to the podcast where he discusses the groundbreaking Livingstone Revisited 2024 expedition. This 2000km journey through Zambia aims to transform healthcare accessibility in remote areas using telemedicine, solar power, and innovative snake bite training. Learn how this modern expedition honors David Livingstone's legacy while addressing critical health…
Sarah Spelsberg sits down with Teimojin Tan , emergency physician and participant on Season 9 of the hit survival show " Alone ". Teimojin shares insights from his time in the wilderness of Labrador, discussing his unique approach to survival medicine, the mental challenges of isolation, and how his experiences have shaped his medical practice. From innovative uses of everyday items to the…
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with polar expedition leader Kasper Jæger about the unique challenges of practicing medicine in the Arctic. Kasper shares insights from his extensive experience guiding in Svalbard and Antarctica, discussing everything from frostbite prevention to evacuation challenges. Learn about the psychological impacts of extended…
Join experienced consultant orthopaedic surgeon Henrik Hedelin as he shares invaluable insights on haemorrhage control in resource-limited settings. Drawing from his extensive field experience in conflict zones and humanitarian missions, Henrik challenges conventional wisdom and offers practical, life-saving techniques for managing severe bleeding. This eye-opening discussion covers the nuances of…
Join us for an exhilarating conversation with Sophie Camp, a GP trainee and Army Reservist, as she shares her incredible journey from medical school to high-altitude expeditions in the Karakoram. Sophie recounts her harrowing experiences during a tri-service expedition to Pakistan, where she faced rockfalls, avalanches, and life-threatening medical emergencies at extreme altitudes. Learn how her…
In this episode we welcome back Hareen De Silva, a GP who recently returned from a deployment to Gaza with CADUS , a German NGO. Hareen shares his experiences working in a trauma stabilisation point amidst active conflict, managing a diverse international team, and dealing with the psychological impact of humanitarian work in extreme environments. From mass casualty incidents to the challenges of…
