The world’s leading provider of education, conferences, consultancy, & medical cover in extreme medicine.
Every year we help thousands of medical & healthcare workers push the boundaries of their abilities & enable them to thrive & deliver in remote, & hostile environments. Born out of a campfire discussion in the Namib Desert, with one aim – to bring the most adventurous medical training to healthcare workers. Over 20 years later, we have grown to provide a range of services that have supported humanitarian agencies, charities, government organisations, and film & TV networks around the globe. All while staying true to our adventurous roots. It’s our mission to continue to widen the access to extreme medicine, by providing the best experiences and training so you can unlock new opportunities to positively impact individuals and communities. Your clinical skillset could become your passport to a life of adventure. Join us on the side of a mountain or deep in the rainforest and start pushing boundaries on what you thought was possible.
20/11/2025
❄️ Feel the chill and learn to thrive in it.
From the Alps to the Arctic, our Polar & Winter Medicine courses teach you how to manage trauma, cold injury and rescue medicine in some of the world’s harshest environments.
🌍 Upcoming courses include:
• Alpine Medicine (Slovenia)
• Polar Medicine (Norway)
• Winter Medicine (New Hampshire, USA)
• Winter Adventure Medicine (Sweden)
• Svalbard Polar Expedition
Thank you to everyone who joined us for WEM25, three days filled with energy, ideas, teamwork, problem-solving, and the kind of conversations that only happen when you bring extraordinary people together from every corner of the world.
You listened to inspiring speakers.
You got hands-on in packed workshops.
You met exhibitors, discovered new kit, and connected with people who share your passions.
You networked, collaborated, shared stories and challenges, and built relationships that will outlast the conference.
And of course… you danced the night away at our Ceilidh.
Every moment of the weekend was shaped by you — your curiosity, your enthusiasm, your generosity, and your willingness to get involved, try new things, and step outside your comfort zone. This community is bold, curious, generous, and global, and you made WEM25 what it was.
As you head home, we hope you’re carrying with you a renewed spark, new skills, fresh ideas, and the confidence to keep pushing boundaries in your own extreme missions, wherever they may take you.
We’re now working hard on the final pieces you’ve been waiting for:
➡️ The conference showcase, so you can revisit both the Salisbury and Biosphere sessions on-demand
➡️ Our famous WEM25 wrap video, celebrating the biggest moments from across the weekend
➡️ App updates as soon as everything is ready for you to watch
And if you’re already planning your next adventure (or if you missed out this year) early bird tickets for WEM26 are now available.
Head to our website to secure your place before pricing increases in 2026: https://worldextrememedicine.com/registration/wem-conference-2026
Thank you for being part of WEM25.
We can’t wait to welcome you back next year. 💙
18/11/2025
Recognising the ‘Umbles’ 🧊
When the body starts cooling, behaviour changes before consciousness does.
Look out for the 5 subtle but vital warning signs of hypothermia ⤵
Understanding these signs could save a life in the cold.
Learn how to prevent, recognise and treat cold injuries on our Polar & Winter Medicine courses:
❄ Alpine Medicine, Slovenia
❄ Winter Medicine, New Hampshire
❄ Polar Medicine. Norway
❄ Winter Adventure, Sweden
❄ Svalbard Polar Expeditions
We want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our exhibitors who joined us this year, returning partners, brand new collaborators, pictured and not pictured, and everyone who filled the hall with knowledge, demonstrations, and genuinely inspiring conversations. 🙌
Your support brings huge value to our delegates, giving them the chance to explore new tools, ask questions, build connections, and discover ideas that help shape their work in extreme, remote, and clinical environments.
We hope you felt the buzz as much as we did.
Thank you for being such an important part of this weekend. 💙
17/11/2025
What a way to finish WEM25. 🌿
Our final keynote with Damien Lecouvey (Fellow of The Explorers Club) took us deep into the Amazon rainforest and behind the making of The Scales of the Forest. Damien explored the realities of working in extreme environments: managing medical risk, ensuring team safety, and leading with clarity when every decision carries weight.
His perspective tied together everything this weekend celebrates; exploration, science, and the mindset required to operate where the margin for error disappears.
A powerful end to three unforgettable days.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for WEM25. 💙
17/11/2025
This afternoon’s WEM Fund session was one of the most meaningful moments of the weekend.
Luca Alfatti and Mark Hannaford shared the journey of WEMF — a grassroots, volunteer-driven effort that has delivered over £4.22M of trauma supplies to Ukraine, provided targeted training to local clinicians, and supported innovations such as the MedAidFix external fixator. Their reflections were open, honest, and grounded in the realities of sustaining humanitarian work under the pressure of conflict.
We were also deeply privileged to welcome Lt Col Roman Kuziv, Commander within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as our guest of honour. His insights into frontline trauma systems brought depth and clarity to the session.
And in an unforgettable moment, Roman presented Luca and Mark with a humanitarian medal — a recognition of their dedication to supporting Ukrainian clinicians and patients during the most challenging circumstances.
A powerful reminder of the impact that committed individuals and small organisations can have when they act with purpose.
17/11/2025
Another full session this afternoon, with Burjor Langdana and Dave Gregory leading a highly practical deep dive into lateral trauma casualty packaging and transfer.
Working directly with Thermarmour, Xtract SR, vacuum stretchers, and multiple Xtract systems, building confidence in adapting packaging techniques for complex SAR environments. The session also introduced patient monitoring with the Cosinuss ear device, sparking great discussions about integrating monitoring into dynamic rescue scenarios.
A fantastic, technique-heavy hour with valuable takeaways for anyone operating in remote, austere, or pre-hospital settings.
17/11/2025
This morning’s session with Sarah Spelsberg was an essential look at the realities of medical risk in remote and extreme environments. 🏔️
Through real-world case studies, Sarah explored how quickly minor problems can escalate without medical support — and how trained medics have made the difference between life and loss on expeditions, ultra-endurance races, and field research missions.
She covered improvised techniques for fractures, hypothermia, and wound care using standard expedition gear, while highlighting the logistical and ethical importance of ensuring teams are medically prepared before stepping into remote terrain.
A powerful, thought-provoking session with lessons for anyone leading or joining field operations.
17/11/2025
We're hope you're enjoying your last day at !
If you have any videos from this amazing weekend; please send to us via DM to have them included in our WEM25 wrapped video and shared across our socials!
17/11/2025
We hope you're feeling fresh after the Epic World Extreme Medicine Ceilidh last night! 🕺
Today is the final day of packed with more incredible talks and workshops.
Get ready to continue pushing boundaries across the full spectrum of extreme medicine as we close out the conference.
And we look forward to seeing many of you at the Ceilidh tonight!
16/11/2025
A perfect finish to Day Two. ✨
Lucy Gossage closed the afternoon with a session that blended humour, honesty, and deeply personal insight from a life spent in oncology, elite sport, mountain races, and movement-led community projects.
She explored what it means to face failure, find balance in demanding roles, and reconnect with the purpose that keeps you going when things get tough. Her reflections on shifting from performance to meaning resonated with every corner of the room.
And now it’s time for something a little different…
Don’t forget! The WEM famous Ceilidh kicks off in The Caves at 7:30pm. We can’t wait to see everyone on the dance floor tonight!
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World Extreme Medicine, formerly known as 'Expedition & Wilderness Medicine', is the leading provider of expedition, wilderness and remote medicine training courses for medical professionals, both here in the UK and also in a number of carefully selected overseas locations.
WEM organises the renowned World Extreme Medicine Conference; showcasing all the latest in remote medicine and where inspiring medical minds meet, share experiences & promote cross-disciplinary working.
Partnered with the University of Exeter WEM is proud to offer the world’s most Extreme International Diploma/ MSc in Extreme Medicine encompassing Expedition Medicine, Disaster & Humanitarian Medicine and Pre-Hospital care. The MOST adventurous degree in the universe!
WEM also provides event medical support and its customers have included the BBC, ITV2, Ginger Productions and the Commonwealth Games to name but a few.
WEM was founded by expedition leader Mark Hannaford FRGS and expedition medic Dr Sean Hudson MBE and supported by change maker David Weil.
