The Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) is the leading international organization dedicated to advancing healthcare in remote, austere, and extreme environments. Through research, education, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, WMS brings together clinicians who practice far from traditional medical infrastructure. The 2025 Summer Conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, brought together a diverse group of physicians, pre-hospital providers, clinicians, and leaders from various disciplines worldwide to exchange ideas and explore new frontiers in wilderness medicine and academic innovation.
The conference opened with a lecture by DAN Vice President of Medical Services Matias Nochetto, MD.. His presentation, Remote Operations Dive Injury Management, explored the realities of managing diving injuries in settings with limited resources and delayed evacuation. Drawing from our international case data, Dr. Nochetto presented clinical frameworks that apply across a wide range of field scenarios. His talk reinforced the critical relevance of diving medicine within the larger wilderness medicine discipline.
Later in the day, Dr. Nochetto led a small group session titled 45 Years of the DAN Emergency Hotline: From Altruism to Accountability. This interactive discussion examined the hotline’s evolution from a grassroots volunteer effort into the world’s most trusted medical consultation service for dive emergencies. Participants gained insight into how DAN-trained medics support global callers in multiple languages with recommendations and general information for managing dive-related emergencies. The discussion highlighted the complexity and professionalism behind every response call and how this service supports not only divers but also physicians and emergency responders around the world.
Inspiring Future Providers in Dive Medicine
Diana Rodriguez, DAN medic and current candidate for both the Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) and the Diploma in Diving and Marine Medicine (DiDMM), participated in pre-conference workshops and networking events with colleagues across the spectrum of wilderness medicine. Representing DAN’s Medical Services department, she helped raise awareness about the importance of integrating diving and marine knowledge into the broader framework of wilderness medicine.
Conversations throughout the conference revealed a growing interest among early-career physicians and remote care providers in understanding how to recognize and manage diving emergencies, marine envenomation, and decompression illness in both urban and expedition environments. Diana’s interactions underscored how education, mentorship, and real-world exposure are shaping a new generation of clinicians who view diving medicine as an essential element of wilderness and emergency care.
The Academic Foundation of Global Readiness
The Diploma in Diving and Marine Medicine (DiDMM) is an advanced training program that encompasses instruction in topics such as diving physics and physiology, marine hazards, water rescue, survival techniques, and trip planning. The curriculum blends academic depth with operational utility and is ideal for those who work in maritime, expeditionary, or austere roles.
The Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) recognizes clinicians who have completed a comprehensive academic and experiential program in wilderness medicine. It validates not only subject matter knowledge but also teaching, research, and field leadership. Both programs foster a professional identity that unites medical professionals, including medics, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers, under shared principles of readiness and excellence.
Having a representative of the Medical Services department actively engaged in programs like the DiDMM and FAWM demonstrates DAN’s commitment to medical education that promotes real-world impact. The presence of a DAN medic in these settings contributes to the meaningful conversations and interdisciplinary exchanges that advance medical knowledge, raise awareness, and foster collaboration and trust across clinical and academic communities. Through conference presentations, professional partnerships, and ongoing involvement in education and research, DAN remains at the forefront of shaping how dive medicine is understood and practiced in a wide range of care environments.
A Unified Vision for Patient Care in Remote Settings
The DAN Medical Emergency Hotline is staffed by experienced medics who provide 24-hour consultation to divers, emergency providers, and clinicians worldwide. Their expertise supports care decisions in critical moments, ensuring that timely, evidence-based guidance is always readily available. These professionals contribute to protocol development, education, and research efforts, as well as cross-border collaboration, which ultimately improves patient outcomes.
The WMS Summer Conference affirmed the value of this work and the growing recognition that dive medicine is an integral part of wilderness medicine discussions. Through shared learning and professional exchange, DAN continues to build strong relationships with medical leaders and educators committed to improving care in every environment.
Dive medicine is wilderness medicine. This year’s conference helped carry that message forward with clarity, purpose, and growing momentum.
