Wilderness Medicine

Wilderness Medicine is a diverse collection of knowledge applied in extremely resource-limited settings away from dedicated medical facilities. It’s principles are applied in times of natural disaster, social unrest, expedition emergencies, aeromedical evacuation and other austere environments.

Our Objectives

Our Team

South Africa has a unique mix of such environments as well a highly sophisticated medical system, making it a very fertile environment for the advancement of Wilderness Medicine. The study of Wilderness Medicine includes:

Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
Tropical and Travel Medicine
High Altitude and Mountaineering Medicine
Expedition Medicine
Survival, Field Craft and Equipment
Safety, Rescue and Evacuation
Sports Medicine and Physiology
Preventive Medicine, Field Sanitation &
Hygiene

General Environmental Medicine
Improvised and Alternative Medicine
Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance
Wilderness Emergencies and Trauma Management
Wilderness Medicine Faculty Development
Wilderness Medicine Research
Tactical Combat Casualty Care
Aviation Medicine

The Wilderness Emergency Medicine Society is a Special Interest Group of the Emergency Medical Society of South Africa. It was established to assist South Africa wilderness medicine practitioners to advance their knowledge and achieve recognition.

Our Objectives

Establish a professional forum for the recognition and advancement of wilderness medical professionals

Provide accredited training in wilderness medicine for its members

Encourage the accreditation of its members through the Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine™ by partnering with the Wilderness Medical Society

Advocate for Wilderness Medical Professionals and their patients in the various health and governance forums

Review international wilderness medical protocols and endorse or amend them as appropriate for the South African context

Develop, fund and conduct research into the locally relevant topics of wilderness medicine

Establish a framework to support and promote the publication of peer-reviewed wilderness medicine literature produced by South African practitioners

Foster international cooperation in the development of wilderness medicine throughout Africa

The first task of WEMSSA is to act as a focal point for Wilderness Medical practitioners and establish a forum amongst them. To do this the Society runs a series of seminars in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg on a regular basis. The Society also hosts an online discussion forum for its members.

The Seminar Series consists of local experts presenting on topics which address the core topics of WMS Academy. All members and non-members of EMSSA are welcome to join in the seminar series which are CPD accredited and carry credit for the WMS fellowship.