Medical advice for expeditions and field research

Medical advice for expeditions and fieldwork

As part of the Society’s commitment to supporting those planning field research and expeditions, RGS-IBG has a specialist advice unit, the Expedition Medical Cell.

The RGS-IBG Expedition Medical Cell provides a forum for discussion, information and advice to those operating in remote areas.

Publications

Members of the Medical Cell have produced a number of publications providing medical advice to anyone operating in challenging environments.

• The acclaimed Oxford Handbook of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine  (OUP, 2nd edition 2015) which can be purchased from Geography Outdoors, provides information on preventing and treating medical problems in challenging environments.

• An earlier publication RGS-IBG Expedition Medicine Manual (Profile books, 2002) is available on-line, and individual chapters downloaded here.

  • Pre expedition medical planning 

  • Field medicine 

  • Medical problems of environmental extremes

Guidelines and Advice

The Medical Cell also provides guidelines and advice on a range of topics including:

• First Aid Training: suggested curriculum 

• Children at Altitude

• Acclimatisation guidelines for Mount Kilimanjaro

Working in Expedition Medicine

Advice for those looking to get into expedition medicine at any level.

• Expedition Medical Professionals

• Medical Students

Expedition Medicine Training Providers

For those seeking expedition medical training:

• A list of Expedition Medical Training providers can be found on our Delicious links directory.

• Advice on what to include in your expedition medical training.