Mountaineering and climbing techniques in the curriculum of mountain medicine education programs: A survey of the European courses for mountain medicine

Abstract

Mountain medicine education programs have been described and discussed from several perspectives. A Union Internationale des Associations Alpinistes-Internationale Kommission für Alpines Rettungswesen-International Society for Mountain Medicine (UIAA-IKAR-ISMM) label was defined and subsequently awarded to courses that comply with certain minimal requirements. These courses can award an international UIAA-IKAR-ISMM diploma to their successful candidates. The need for mountaineering training was listed in those minimal requirements, but no exact recommendations were given. A complete analysis of existing mountain medicine education programs in Europe is done, providing information about the practical mountaineering and climbing techniques taught in the different courses and, if applicable, the practical requirements and examinations to obtain the above-mentioned diploma. The analysis clearly shows the widely varying requirements for proficiency in mountaineering and climbing in European mountain medicine courses.