Held in Germany and approved by the Ärztekammer Niedersachsen (granting 10 CME points to eligible attendees), the online conference gathered nine expert speakers and a deeply engaged audience of medical professionals, overlanders, off-roaders, expedition leaders, and outdoor lovers. Whether you travel by foot, bike, or 4×4, across deserts or through dense jungle, this event was built for you.

Here’s why it matters—and why what was shared should be on your radar before your next trip:

Because knowledge saves lives—especially when you’re on your own

Remote travel often means self-reliance. When things go wrong, help is far away. That’s why Harold Steguweit’s session on Dengue fever hit home. Many overlanders still underestimate tropical diseases. Harold broke down how to spot early signs, how to act, and elaborated on some preventative measures. With mosquito-borne diseases on the rise in travel hotspots, this was the kind of grounded, experience-based info that sticks.

Because vaccinations are your first line of defence

If you’re crossing borders, sleeping outside, or shaking hands in remote villages, Dr. Christian Scholber’s talk on current vaccination recommendations was a timely reminder: medicine doesn’t stop at the edge of Europe. The session offered clear updates on what’s essential right now—including some vaccines that even seasoned travellers overlook. For those planning longer routes through Africa, Asia or South America, these recommendations aren’t just guidelines—they’re protection.

Because accidents happen—and you have to act fast

A burn in a kitchen is one thing. A burn in the bush, with no clean water and no medical kit? That’s another story entirely. Martin Eickhoff walked us through managing burn injuries in remote regions: what to do, what not to do, and how to reduce long-term damage when you’re hours—or days—from care. The talk focused on using the gear and materials you already have on hand. No theory. Just field-smart action steps.

Because sepsis doesn’t care where you are

Vito Berger’s deep dive into sepsis in remote areas was both sobering and empowering. Sepsis kills quickly—but early detection and smart intervention can save lives. Vito gave practical advice on spotting infection signs, using antibiotics correctly, and navigating treatment when transport to a hospital isn’t possible. It was a reminder: every cut, bite, or wound in the field needs your full attention.

Because helping abroad isn’t just medicine—it’s law and culture, too

If you’ve ever jumped in to help someone abroad—during an accident, disaster, or spontaneous clinic setup—Markus Eckert’s session on legal particularities made one thing clear: good intentions aren’t enough. From local laws and patient consent to cultural sensitivity and personal liability, this was a sharp, necessary talk for anyone doing hands-on help internationally. It’s not about what you do or don’t do—it’s about doing it right.

Because critical care isn’t just for hospitals

What happens when someone collapses at altitude, deep in the bush, or far from any road? Sebastian Kernstock’s session on critical care in low and middle-income countries focused on real-world solutions: improvised gear, alternative techniques, and ways to stabilise patients with what’s at hand. For expedition medics and group leaders, it was gold. Even if you’re not a medic, this talk showed what’s possible when things get serious.

Because parasites are more common than you think

Dr. Johannes Schäfer gave a solid breakdown of worm infections on long-distance travel—what to expect, what to avoid, and how to treat them early. For many in the room, it was the first time hearing just how frequent these issues are. This wasn’t fearmongering. It was preparation. If you’re traveling overland through tropical or subtropical regions, this talk will likely change how you pack and how you listen to your own body.

Because some threats are rare—but real

Ebola might sound distant, but Dr. Gisela Schneider’s overview of viral haemorrhagic fevers like Ebola reminded us how fast things can move. Gisela’s experience on the ground was evident, and she connected the dots between international outbreaks and travel medicine. Her key point? Don’t just track where you are—track where others have come from. Knowing how to recognise VHF and respond correctly is essential for anyone involved in medical aid or travel to high-risk regions.

Because improvisation is part of every overlander’s toolkit

Matthias Schmidberger’s final talk on improvised medicine summed up the day perfectly: You won’t always have what you need. But if you know what you’re doing, you can do a lot with very little. This was hands-on thinking for field situations: making splints, cleaning wounds, stabilising fractures, rehydrating a patient—when you’re out of signal and out of options.

Why this matters—whether you’re a medic or not

RAEM is about more than medicine. It’s about taking responsibility—for yourself, your crew, and the people you meet along the road. Whether you’re a doctor, expedition leader, hiker, or simply someone who spends time where ambulances don’t go, this knowledge is your edge.

Each speaker brought something different. But the common thread was this: real preparation goes beyond gear. It’s knowing what to do when plans go sideways.

And in a world where more people are pushing further off the grid, where overlanding is growing, and where remote travel is becoming more accessible—this kind of knowledge isn’t optional anymore. It’s essential.

See you at RAEM 2026?

This year’s online event brought together people from all over Europe—and beyond. The Q&A sessions were lively and the shared passion was undeniable. If you’re planning your next big trip, building a vehicle, leading a group, or volunteering abroad, pencil in next year’s RAEM (the date will be published in a separate post as soon as possible)

Until then, stay smart, stay safe—and keep going further.

RAEM CONFERENCE

The post Why the RAEM Online Conference Matters for Overlanders appeared first on overland-europe.

RELEVANCE

All too often, overland trip preparations—regardless of whether for a long weekend or an expedition lasting several years—only focus on everything that is positive: outfitting the vehicle for every kind of terrain, having the right tools and parts for a breakdown, planning the route, equipping the camp kitchen, stowing cameras and drones, and stocking the fridge with favourite beverages and food. Nothing must be left behind if it can help make the journey memorable.

All these elaborate and detailed considerations can easily consume days, weeks, or even months. Yet, how much time does anyone take to consider what might be needed if one of your party has an accident or falls sick?

It won’t happen, right? Yet you carry a spare tyre, a jack, and a wheel brace. Bluntly put, shit happens. When you least expect it, to the most unlikely person, and in the last place you want it to happen. If you are anywhere other than an urban area, help isn’t going come rushing to you within the next fifteen minutes. All of a sudden, (you have to) assume responsibility, address the situation, and take the necessary steps. Lives depend on correct decisions and, trust me, the legally required first-aid kit in the back of your car is certainly not up to job.

ONLINE ONLY

There are two main reasons for favouring an online conference over a physical event:

Accessibility. The target group is interested in remote area and expedition medicine. A niche group of people in a large geographic area who might even be travelling at the time the event is held. The objective is to reach the maximum number of people regardless of their current location.

Cost—not for the organisers, but for the attendees. Creating such a significant online event, which can be enjoyed from anywhere with a stable wireless connection, eliminates travel, hotels, and other related costs for the audience.

AWARENESS

Martin Eickhoff’s introduction to the 2023 RAEMC was an eye-opener. A revelation studded with a wide array of examples of what can happen when you go away for the weekend or a bucket-list world trip. Something as simple as stumbling over a root in a forest and landing on a broken branch or rock can cause sprained ankles or wrists, complicated fractures, open wounds and/or unconsciousness. Falling off a motorcycle or mountain bike can have horrendous implications.

What if a child suddenly has an allergic reaction. Do you know what to do if a friend or loved one forgets to take their medication?

A fun trip can turn into a nightmare.

Having heard examples of what might happen and the consequences of not being able to respond adequately, the following eight presentations took a closer look at different problems, how to recognise and understand them, and what it takes to prepare yourself so that you can intervene.

SPEAKERS AND TOPICS

The speakers are qualified medical professionals and nutrition experts. Selected for their expertise and ability to convey their message in a manner which can be understood by health care workers and non-medical attendees, the information provided is best described as hands-on. This year, one of the presentations was conducted from a ship in the North Sea.

The 2023 Conference topics included:

• What can happen? • Martin Eickhoff
• Travelling under difficult circumstances • Dr. Anja Fröhlich and Dr. Christian Scholar
• Motion sickness—not just a problem on long distances • Vito Berger
• Medical emergencies at high altitude • Matthias Schmidtberger
• Nutrition—what is important in remote areas? • Natalia Gogel
• Common diseases in distant countries • Harald Steguweit
• Tropical medicine • Jessica Frail
• Emergency repatriation. What you need to know before you start your journey • John Bastian Etti
• Medical planning for a trip • Markus Teiner

The topics of this year’s conference built upon those of last year and next year’s event will be a continuation of this building block concept.

Q&A

The online conference is a two-way discussion. Attendees are encouraged to pose questions, using the on-screen Q&A function, to which the speaker and hosts will then respond in a live discussion.

TAKEAWAY

At the very least, every attendee was made aware of problems they may have to confront and how to prepare for them.

At best, non-medical attendees were made aware of their own short-comings so that they can take steps toward being able to help themselves and others in a medical emergency.

Medical professionals benefitted from an event approved by the medical authority of Lower Saxony which granted ten CME points.

COST

What is included in the cost?

A one-day event lasting ten hours (including breaks)
High-quality information on nine relevant topics for travellers to remote areas
Live Q&A
Exclusive access to all presentations via Vimeo after the event
Ten CME points for medical professionals

Price per attendee: €99

CONCLUSION

The 2023 Remote Area & Expedition Medicine Conference was an informative, rewarding, and enjoyable event for everyone, and represents excellent value for money.

The organisers have also taken into account that some people may not have been aware of the 2022 and 2023 events. So, for anyone interested, use the contact form to reach out to the organisers for more information on how purchase access to the Vimeo videos.

Preparation is already underway for the 2024 Conference. Dates and booking details will be published soon.

RAEM-CONFERENCE.COM

Note: The Remote Area & Expedition Medicine Conference is currently only held in German language. There is consideration to create an English language version and, if you are interested, please let the organisers know so that they can explore the viability.

The post The 2023 Remote Area & Expedition Medicine Conference broadcast live in the DACH region. CME points included. appeared first on overland-europe.