The Compassionate Debrief: Redefining Post-Mission Reflection in HEMS with Leif Rognås & Karina Damsgaard
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with Leif Rognås (consultant anaesthetist and clinical lead with the Danish Air Ambulance) and Karina Damsgaard (psychologist specialising in emergency medicine and resilience in high-performance teams).Together, they unpack the concept of Compassionate Debriefing, an approach designed to replace traditional “honest debriefs” with something more supportive, psychologically safe, and effective for learning.The discussion explores:Why traditional debrief models can fall short in complex, high-stakes environmentsHow compassionate debriefing fosters resilience, retention, and psychological safetyPractical steps for shifting from critique to care in post-mission reflectionsWhat further research is needed to embed this approach into HEMS and beyondA must-listen for clinicians, leaders, and anyone interested in the future of healthcare culture, wellbeing, and team performance.You can read Karina's paper 'Common Mental Health Symptoms in Personnel Working in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: A Systematic Review' here.
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High-Altitude Medicine: Beyond AMS with Hannah Lock
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.
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From the Arctic to Space: Medicine Without Limits with Luke Apisa
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with Luke Apisa about his extraordinary journey from wilderness medicine to space medicine.Luke shares insights from treating climbers at 14,000 feet in Nepal, supporting ultramarathon runners in the deserts of Arizona and Utah, and helping to develop future medical capabilities for space exploration with NASA and SpaceX.From designing innovative altitude breathing devices to researching pulmonary edema treatment at high altitude, Luke’s career sits at the cutting edge of medicine in extreme environments.Discover how wilderness and space medicine connect, what it’s like to practice in the Himalayas, and the challenges facing long-duration spaceflight.
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Kayaking Greenland on an Inuit Diet: Mike Keen’s 3,000km Arctic Challenge
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
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Mountain Medicine at 2800m: Ski Rescue, Hypothermia & Innovation in Livigno
In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker is joined by Luca Carenzo, intensive care consultant, and Federico Emiliano Ghio, critical care nurse and medical lead for high-altitude emergency services in Livigno, Italy, one of the busiest ski resorts in the Alps.From sub-zero slopes and altitude-induced illness to managing cardiac arrests at 2800m with no hospital in sight, Federico and Luca explore the real-time challenges of delivering care in extreme alpine environments.Featuring:Advanced pain relief protocols in –20°C conditionsHow fluids freeze, defibs fail, and ventilators adaptWhy governance matters when you don’t have paramedicsPlanning for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter OlympicsThe future of ski patrol: drones, slope-side diagnostics, and real-time triageThis is high-acuity medicine, on ice.📍 This session was recorded remotely in December 2024.
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