5th Annual Chamonix Summer Conference
Expedition Medicine & Field Skills for Diverse Environments
23 -26 June 2008 , £475 for doctors, £350 others
Ideally suited to doctors, nurses, paramedics & medical students who want to develop their personal skills in the outdoors and their knowledge of the medical challenges in all environments
NO CLIMBING, EXPEDITION OR CAMPING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!
BOOK NOW!
Introduction
WMT Chamonix conferences are incredibly well organised, well thought out and professionally delivered by a world class faculty who are experienced, fun and approachable! WMT’s two directors alone have a combined total of 44 real expeditions (not weeklong charity treks) to their credit. We constantly innovate to refresh our events. Chamonix is a legendary, easily accessible town that is an awesome playground for out of class hours, including fabulous optional mountain sports activities and instruction offered by WMT. More than 50% of WMT conference delegates attend by word of mouth. As Dr Alice Mavrogordato said:
“All together a brilliant conference and I would highly recommend it!”
The programme and faculty are all subject to confirmation.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
Saturday & Sunday – designated rendezvous points for early arrivals wanting to meet up with others for a day of adventure or an evening drink
Monday - Issues for all Environments – registration 9.30 for a 10am kickoff
- Welcome & Introductions
- What is Expedition Medicine?
- Outdoor “bench marking” accident scenario & team building activity
- The legal considerations of being an expedition medic
- Incidence of illness and injury on expeditions
- Preparing the team; including antimalarials, immunisations & team selection and group dynamics
- Qualifications & training structures for various outdoor activities
- Preparing Pre-existing medical problems
- GI disease (diarrhoea, appendicitis, etc)
- Compiling a suitable medical kit – small group work
- Working in teams in the mountains - preparing a field menu & shopping for provisions & preparing for the night out: kit check & hire of equipment as required
Complimentary wine & snacks
1830 Evening Lecture – The North Face - Roof of the Arctic Greenland Expedition – presented by Baz Roberts.
In March 2006 Baz co-lead this very successful expedition that made the first and second winter ascent of Gunnbjorns Fjeld, the highest peak in the Arctic. Baz also paraglided back to advanced base camp from below the summit, which is quite possibly for first ever paraglide flight ever made in Greenland. The night before the team expected to be airlifted back to Iceland, their camp was ravaged by a polar bear. The story made the national news mid-March in the UK.
Tuesday 9am start
Desert, Jungle & Water Environments
- Heat illnesses & dehydration – wet bulb globe thermometers, military guidelines & electrolyte drinks
- Lurkin’ firkins – snakes, scorpions & other biting beasties
- Working in the jungle – a personal & practical perspective – Dom Hall
- Diving expeditions – practical issues for remote areas
Mountainous & Cold Terrain
- Hypothermia & frostbite – practical guidelines for field use
- Acute mountain sickness – AMS
- Vetting expedition companies
- Discussion - how to further a career in expedition medicine
- Move to overnight mountain camp location
Mountain Camp Sessions
- Stoves & cooking in the field
- Camping - snow camping/snow caves
- Packing light - kit selection, packing & waterproofing
- Use of radios – ETHANE report - radio do’s and don’ts
Evening work: AMS case study & portable altitude compression chambers/survival equipment
Wednesday: mountain instructional activities
- Snow travel & ice axe use
- Navigation – map & compass intro & refresher
- Ropes/anchors & rescue techniques,
- Moving/straightening the injured, improvised splints/stretchers/collars
Return to town c. 5pm
Thursday - outdoors
Living and Travelling in the Jungle & the River & Open Water Environment
- The wonders & limits of GPS
- Safe river crossings
- Vehicle safety & extrication
- Jungle camp craft, health & hygiene, water purification
Concludes with multiple casualty scenario practical exercise
1700 Conference close
1900 Final party!
Faculty
Conference Director
Dr Jon Dallimore MSc MRCGP DCH DRCOG Dip. Mountain Med., WMT Medical Director
Jon has carved out a unique portfolio medical career in travel and expedition medicine. He has completed 22 expeditions and is medical advisor to a number of expedition companies, including World Challenge Expeditions, Trekforce, Greenforce and Tangent Expeditions. In addition, he continues to work as a GP and he is a staff grade doctor in A&E at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Jon has completed an MSc in travel medicine and the UIAA Diploma in Mountain Medicine, which he now teaches on. Jon is a member of Royal Geographical Society’s Medical Cell and a contributing author of the RGS landmark publication Expedition Medicine. On his most recent expedition Jon made 20 first ascents in Greenland in June 2005.
Conference Manager
Barry Roberts BSc BEd, WMT Commercial Director
Barry (he prefers Baz) has 22 expeditions to his credit. These expeditions have varied enormously in their scope, including scientific research, community and adventure based projects. Baz is an active adventure sportsman who is a ski mountaineer, advanced diver, araglider pilot and skydiver. He climbed Everest in May 2004 on this 11th visit to the Himalaya. He is formerly a Director of Raleigh International. He is sponsored by The North Face. Baz also runs All Terrain Ski in Chamonix and recently co-wrote and published www.stayingaliveoffpiste.com. He has lectured widely about his travels to corporate and public groups throughout the UK and in Rome, Oman, Dubai and Romania.
2008 instructors tbc. Here's flavour of our regular contributors:
James Moore RN Dip TN Dip TM FRGS
- Charge Nurse, Emergency Department, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
ALS/APLS Instructor
- Diplomas in Tropical Nursing and Travel Medicine
- Expeditions to Borneo, North and Central Africa, South America
- Expedition Consultancy/Tutoring for 5 Expedition Companies
- Previous Consultancy for BBC, contributing author Expedition Medicine, OUP
- On most recent expeditions provided medical support in Sri Lanka post tsunami and medical cover for a jungle adventure race in Brazil
- Will spend May ’07 providing medical cover for Ben Fogel TV programme
Dr Harvey Pynn MA MB BS
- 10 expeditions worldwide - mountains and jungle - leader and doctor
- Army Doctor - served recently in Afghanistan
- Emergency Medicine Trainee, Frimley Park Hospital
- ALS, BATLS and MIMMS instructor
- Undertaking Diplomas in Mountain Medicine and Medical Care of Catastrophes
- Has contributed to several WMT winter conferences and was conference director of ’05 summer conference
Luc Bellon – Mountain Guide
Luc is a Chamonix based internationally qualified mountain guide and ski instructor with an extensive background in mountain rescue as a former mountain policeman with the PGHM. He has worked extensively with Barry running All Terrain Ski in Chamonix and on the last 2 summer WMT conferences.
Venue
The conference is non-residential and the indoor, lecture based component of the conference will be held at the Bicentenaire lecture room adjacent to the Musee Alpin, close to the river, near McDonalds. Places are strictly limited to ensure a quality teaching environment in the outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on the summer programme?
There are 4 themes which involve lectures and/or outdoor practical training:
- Important health issues for all environments
- Mountainous & cold terrain; conditions & injuries
- Life in the hot zone: the challenge of desert & jungle environments
- Living, working and thriving outdoors
Who attends WMT conferences?
Typically our conferences attract a great mix of doctors from PRHO’s to consultants in varied specialties. We also welcome medical students, nurses and paramedics. Some people have little or no expedition experience and some are very experienced. Many people come alone and make new friends to recreate with. Others have come in big gangs of medical schoolmates! The conference is designed for any medical professional interested in expedition and travel medicine regardless of their level of expedition experience. You do not have to have any previous mountain or expedition experience but a reasonable level of fitness is required. What feedback did previous Chamonix conferences get?
WMT takes great pride not only in the educational value of our products but also in the smoothadministration of our courses and conferences and the attention to detail that makes WMT events a special experience. See the delgate feedback page.
How does WMT’s Chamonix conference differ from other “expedition medicine” courses?
For one, it’s held in Chamonix! What a great opportunity to attend an educationally robust conference AND to recreate in the mountains before or after the event. Secondly, we teach expedition medicine, including broad ranging topics and practical skills applicable to all environments. This isn’t a mountain rescue, mountain first aid or mountain medicine course for doctors and we believe there’s little point in discussing complicated rescue equipment that YOU WON’T HAVE with you!
How easy is it to get to Chamonix?
Very easy! Many low-cost airlines fly from numerous UK airports directly to Geneva. Chamonix is 60 miles from Geneva and it costs about £50 for return transfers. Groups will find it cheaper to hire a car for the week.
What about organising hotel/chalet accommodation?
See below for travel and accommodation advice with loads of contacts for accommodation. You can also check out www.chamonix.net and www.chamonix.com for hotels and other accommodation. Camping is also an option. We’ll probably offer a chalet package too this year!
What’s the social side of the conference like?
Exhausting! The week can be as full on as you want to make it! There’s no shortage of rganised or informal options to drink and eat together. We always organise a fabulous end of conference party too. We'll put all delegates in email contact with each other before the conference so you can organise pre or post conference adventures together.
Can I bring a partner?
Certainly and many people do. They are welcome to join in on the optional evening lectures (for free), the end of course dinner and any special optional outdoor activities that are offered (at additional cost).
Is the conference CME/PGEA approved?
No it isn’t. We’ve found that this isn’t particularly important to those coming. Most people record he conference as part of their personal development plan.
What does the fee include?
The conference fee is inclusive of tuition, refreshments, notes, satchel (or equivalent), a conference certificate, materials, mountain guides and climbing equipment/other outdoor material (pots, stoves and fuel) but cable cars, food for camping out and other personal equipment (such as a bivy bag, rucsac, sleeping mat and bag) are not included but we'll give you comprehensive advice on kit. A limited number of discounted places are available for nurses and medical students.
Sounds great, but I’m can’t commit now because I can’t get the leave approved just yet? We understand. Let us know in any case if you’re very interested so we can keep you updated but book a place as soon as you can or you may miss out. This conference is limited to 40 places and was full in 2006.
How do I book a place to come?
Application is now only via the online BOOKING FORM.
Credit Cards WMT now takes credit card payments over the ‘phone.
What about being kept informed of developments?
Subscribe to WMT on the home page and we'll tell you when the relevant web pages have been updated. Everything you need to know is on our new website! We no longer email info files.
How do the winter and summer conference differ? The winter conference is mainly based indoors either AM or PM so you have half a day free to ski everyday. The summer conference involves 4 full days (2 outdoors) including an overnight mountain camp. The content of the winter programme is mostly medical; the summer conference is roughly 60% outdoor skills and 40% lecture based medical content. There are no prerequisites for either conference.
Travel & Accommodation Notes
These details are not exhaustive – check out www.chamonix.com, www.chamonix.net and www.chamonixexperience.com or www.chamonet.com for other local services, information or web links to some of the contacts below. WMT cannot be responsible for any of the services or prices listed which are given in good faith as a guide only. Delegates should be careful to avoid any confusion over pricing given the introduction of the euro and prices in Swiss francs.
We suggest you fly into Geneva. The motorway leading to the French border is only a few hundred metres from the airport. The French border is about 10km from the airport. You can exit the airport on the “French side” but this is not as convenient if you don't know your way around.
Visas
Depending on what passport you hold you should make sure you do not require a visa for Switzerland and/or France. If you require a Swiss visa you can consider exiting the airport from the French side to avoid having to get one.
Geneva Car Hire
Although the bus service around the Chamonix valley is good, a car can be very handy for maximising your time on the slopes. Bear in mind too that a return minibus transfer from the airport is £50+ that could be put towards car hire. It is 100km from the airport to Chamonix and about £6 return for road tolls if you take the motorway-peage (recommended).
www.travelextras.com
www.eurosdrive.com
www.holidayautos.com
www.easycar.car
Warning – be careful if you are tempted to hire a car from the FRENCH side of the airport – it can involve more hassle and cost if you end up returning it to the Swiss side, although if can be cheaper to hire overall.
Scheduled Flights to Geneva
Easyjet www.easyjet.com
BMI Baby www.bmibaby.com Jet2 www.jet2.com Globe Span www.flyglobespan.com – seasonal weekly Edinburgh & Glasgow flights
www.swiss.com the new Swiss Air/Crossair airline
British Airways www.ba.com 0345 222111
www.opodo.com searches the major airlines
Allow 1½ hours to get to Chamonix by transfer minibus.
Chamonix – Geneva Airport Transfers – about £25 each way depending on number of passengers and time of booking
Trains & Buses
These are time-consuming ways of travelling between the airport and Chamonix and not recommended – see www.chamonix.net for further information.
Tourist Offices
Chamonix 00 33 4 50 53 00 24
French Government Tourist Office 0891 244123
ASK WHERE THE ACCOMMODATION IS IN RELATION TO THE Musee Alpin! Accommodation is not available at the conference venue.
ACCOMMODATION
For central hotel reservations via the tourist office contact reservation@chamonix.com, visit www.chamonix.com or telephone 00 33 4 50 53 23 33.
The following hotels are within central Chamonix close to the conference venue. Their star rating is noted to give you an idea of the price range the hotel is in (bear in mind that some French hotels given 3 stars are really only 2+ stars according to UK standards). Some 2 stars may not be en suite. 2 star hotels B & B can cost £40, 3 stars up to £60 (per night).
Mercure Coralia 3 stars email 8983-GM@accor-hotels.com
Point Isabelle 2 stars pointe.isabelle@telepost.fr
La Vallee Blanche 3 stars info@vallee-blanche.com
La Croix Blanche, 3 stars croix-blanche@chamonixhotels.com
Touring Hotel 2 stars, tel/fax 00 33 4 50 53 59 18
El Paso – La Cantina (no star rating) tel 00 33 4 50 53 64 20
Au Bon Coin 2 stars hotel@auboncoin@wanadoo.fr
Mont-Blanc 4 stars (by the tourist office) mont-blanc@chamonixhotels.com
Park Suisse 3 stars parkhotelsuisse@telepost.fr
Richemond 2 stars richemond@wanadoo.fr
Prieure 3 stars Prieure@chamonixhotels.com
Hotel Gustavia hotel@hotel-gustavia.com, www.hotel-gustavia.com, telephone 00 33 4 50 53 00 31
Gite – Bunkhouse Le Vagabond – shared rooms are less than £10/night – tel. 00 33 4 50 53 15 43 between 8-10.30am and after 4.30pm www.gitevagabond.com
**Check whether airport transfers are included when comparing value.
Camping & Other Accommodation
ASK WHERE THE ACCOMMODATION IS IN RELATION TO THE TOWN CENTRE BEFORE BOOKING
The tourist office produces a guide to accommodation, including camping called Les Carnet de l’Hebergement. The following is for reference – WMT does not get directly involved in booking independent accommodation for delegates.
Camping – close to the town centre
L’Ile des Barrats tel/fax 00 33 4 50 53 51 44
Les Arolles tel. 00 33 4 50 53 14 30 email jean-luc.burnet@libertysurf.fr
Les Molliasses 00 33 4 50 53 16 81 email jean-luc.burnet@libertysurf.fr
Private Apartment Hire
For apartment rentals see www.holiday-rentals.com and www.chamonix.net |
