World Extreme Medicine Podcast

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 retinal haemorrhages, chronic mountain sickness, high-altitude cough, frostbite, and the impact of altitude on muscle mass and sleep, this deep dive unpacks the realities clinicians and expedition leaders face at altitude.Hannah also shares insights on managing risk in clients with comorbidities, new technologies shaping safety in the mountains, and practical strategies for hydration, acclimatisation, and performance at elevation.Learn more about Hannah and her work here.

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 how an ancestral, high-fat, low-carb diet impacts health, endurance, and resilience in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.We explore:The science behind ancestral diets and their potential to improve health and performanceThe physical and mental challenges of solo Arctic travelClimate change impacts on Greenland’s ice and wildlifeLessons from indigenous communities on food, sustainability, and survivalFollow Mike’s work: WebsiteInstagram

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 diagnostics, and trained layperson intervention to deliver hospital-grade care in areas where no medical staff are physically present. Mardi shares the origins of the project, the role of technology like Starlink and wearables, and how the model is saving lives and reducing retrieval costs.We discuss the governance and logistics behind delivering high-risk medications remotely, the scalability of the model, and how learnings from Africa, India, and Rwanda are being adapted to suit Australia’s unique geographical challenges. Mardi also reflects on the future of healthcare innovation, from drone-delivered AEDs to virtual ultrasonography and beyond.Learn more about the VEC and the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service: https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au

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 supplies go further in the field.Together, they discuss:The non-negotiables in your expedition med kitAdapting to extreme heat, altitude, and remote terrainPain management without controlled substancesAntibiotics, wound care, and infection controlStorage challenges in hot, cold, and humid conditionsRisk assessment, planning, and reach-back strategies🎧 Listen now and gear up with practical insights from the front lines of expedition medicine.📚 Find out more about WEM’s training

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 reflects on the lessons 7/7 taught him about teamwork, instinct, and how to carry the emotional weight of a major incident across a long career in emergency medicine.Listen to part 1: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Lax8tb35UUbListen to part 2: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/5WXsGa35UUb⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of traumatic events, injuries, and first-hand reflections from a major incident response. Listener discretion is advised.

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, and deliver care in an environment few are ever truly prepared for. From descending into the darkness of the Underground to confronting the human cost of mass casualty trauma, this episode is a raw, honest account of a day that shaped his life and career.Listen to part 2: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/5WXsGa35UUbListen to Part 3: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/5WXsGa35UUb⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains detailed and graphic descriptions of traumatic injuries, death, and first-person reflections on the 7/7 bombings. Listener discretion is advised.

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, closed-loop communication, and how to lead without overpowering. We dive into decision-making under pressure, how to manage amygdala hijack, and why simulation training (and humility) might just save lives.Highlights include:The link between cockpit discipline and clinical calmWhy humanitarian medicine demands quiet confidenceHow to build collective efficacy and empower teamsTeaching others to lead without egoLearn more from Jan by joining us at our annual conference.⚠️ Please note: This episode contains occasional strong language.

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 realities of diabetes in young people to the complexities of rheumatic heart disease, spiritual beliefs, and payback culture, Cara offers a brutally honest look at the highs, lows, and hard truths of her role.Working with limited resources, vast distances, and the constant presence of cultural nuance, Cara shares:The myths and facts about remote medicineWhat makes PAMS uniqueHow she juggled becoming a mother while working fly-in fly-outThe reality behind staff safety and clinical decisions in remote settingsYou can find out more about PAMS here. Acknowledgement of CountryWe acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this episode was recorded and the communities discussed. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening.We recognise the deep spiritual connection Aboriginal peoples have to land, water, and culture, and honour their enduring presence and knowledge systems, which have existed for tens of thousands of years.