Diploma in Mountain Medicine Course – Summer Session
The Air Zermatt Training Center has partnered with the International Mountain Medicine Center (IMMC) at the University of New Mexico (USA) to offer the internationally accredited Diploma in Mountain Medicine Course.
With more than 55 years’ experience and over 60 000 helicopter rescues, Air Zermatt is offering to transfer their knowledge and experience with courses on a high level that prepares you for demanding rescues under extreme conditions. Partnering with the UNM IMMC, one of the premier programs for mountain emergency medicine and rescue in the world, this program is not to be missed.
The Diploma in Mountain Medicine sets the international standard for advanced mountain medicine training for Physicians, APP’s, Nurses and Paramedics. The course includes 160 hours of didactic and practical training in mountain rescue. Students gain a thorough understanding of commonly encountered wilderness pathologies and spend hours simulating complex patient care in extreme environments and difficult terrain. This training equips health professionals with the knowledge and skills to adapt their medical practices to the mountains. Students are held to a high standard, and are expected to demonstrate through written and practical examinations both understanding of didactics and competency performing rescue skills.
The program is accredited by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA), International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) and the International Society for Mountain Medicine (ISMM). Per this accreditation, each successful graduate will receive an internationally recognized Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DIMM).
Course Format
Online and Seminar hybrid (160 hours total online + seminar education, exceeds curriculum requirements for UIAA/ICAR/ISMM – Diploma in Mountain Medicine). This option appeals to the active professional who hopes to continue their work while earning a Diploma in Mountain Medicine. This course is divided into 2 components:
Summer Session
- 25 hours of interactive, self-paced online didactics completed over the 8 weeks prior to the Summer Practical Seminar
- Summer Practical Seminar - 6 days of intensive live training based out Zermatt, Switzerland
Winter Session
- 25 hours of interactive, self-paced online didactics completed over the 8 weeks prior to the Winter Practical Seminar.
- Winter Practical Seminar – 6 days of intensive live training based out of Zermatt, Switzerland
NEXT COURSE
| Date: | October 13-18,2025 |
| Course price: |
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| Included: | Course fee and helicopter flight time |
| Not included: | Gear rental, food, lodging |
| Course language: | The main language of instruction is English |
REQUIREMENTS
- Healthcare professional (physician, paramedic, nurse, etc.)
- Active mountaineer
- You must be able to master the following knots prior the course: Italian (munter) hitch, figure of 8 (follow through and on a bite), clove hitch, overhand knot, fisherman knot, prusik, klemheist, autoblock
EQUIPMENT LIST
Please contact the course instructor by e-mail at training@air-zermatt.ch if you have any questions regarding the equipment. Gear rental shops are available in Zermatt.
HOW TO GET TO ZERMATT
We advise to fly either to ZRH or GVA and taking the train to Zermatt. From ZRH it is a very convenient train ride to Zermatt, changing the train only once. We suggest to book the train ticket 4 weeks prior by following this link: www.sbb.ch. The earlier you buy it, the cheaper the tickets are. Directions to Zermatt helibase click here.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By booking the course, participants expressly accept our effective General Terms and Conditions statement.
ACCREDITATION
This course program is certified by the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR), the International Society for Mountain Medicine (ISMM) and by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) and meets and exceeds the criteria of the international Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM).
CONTINUES MEDICAL EDUCATION CREDITS
- SGNOR (Swiss Society for Emergency and Rescue Medicine): 20 CMEs
- IACCFP (INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CRITICAL CARE AND FLIGHT PARAMEDICS): 10 non-medical / 5 medical CMEs
APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION
Apply to the program by submitting an application at the link below. You will be contacted in one weeks time to schedule a short phone interview. For questions email: HSC-IMMC@salud.unm.edu
For online registration click here
Questions
If you have any questions for Air Zermatt, please contact us on +41 27 570 70 70 or by e-mail at training@air-zermatt.ch.