
// Remote/Expedition Leader Core Skills Programme
The Remote Expedition Leader Core Skills Programme is designed for those seeking to lead expeditions, support fieldwork, humanitarian deployments, operate as media safety professionals in the field, exploration deployments or providing remote safety cover—offering essential skills, experience, CPD opportunities and a competitive edge.
The course programme is also supported by the Institute for Remote Area Risk and Medicine (IRARAM), involved in cutting-edge research and training in prolonged field care and remote medical/risk management considerations, from telemedicine research in Antarctica, to ultrasound research on expedition in Greenland or collaborating with leading UK Universities (including a world first PhD into Prolonged field Care) – to input into developing the latest sector field equipment.
PYB will deliver the outdoor skills training and R2Ri will provide remote, austere and wilderness risk management, specialist medical, and specialist environment training.

Background:
Remote Area Risk International and the National Outdoor Centre, Plas y Brenin, have combined forces to launch two sector-leading programmes. Globally unique - exclusive collaborations between these two recognised sector experts - the UK National Centre, Plas y Brenin (PYB) (Outdoor and expedition skills) and internationally respected Remote Area Risk International (R2Ri) (Remote, austere, wilderness medical and risk management specialists).
The courses will be delivered at the International Centre for Remote Area Risk And Medicine, operated by R2Ri and based at PYB for almost a decade.
Both organisations are at the cutting edge in their fields and their Faculties/ instructors are current and operational in remote areas around the globe as well as involved in cutting edge research.
The core skills modules have been run for years and are tried, tested and proven…with rave reviews.
Alongside outdoor subject matter experts from Plas y Brenin, the medical and risk management/field safety delivery is delivered by experts (made up of Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, ex Special Forces Paramedics, Radiologists, Cardiologists, Psychiatrists amongst others, including Doctor and Adult Nursing lecturers, specialist lawyers, risk management lecturers at degree and higher degree level in these fields) from R2Ri, with, amongst them, experience operating on every continent in every environment, who have trained other medical professionals, international disaster responders, NGO’s, household name global humanitarian organisations, the leading adventure travel companies, Mountain Rescue, expedition medics, elite military medics, government agencies and many more.
R2Ri is the longest running UK Affiliate of the global leading Wilderness Medical Society.
Building on over a decade of existing collaboration in field and expedition safety—PYB and R2Ri are proud to launch two exclusive new programmes; The Remote/Expedition Leader Core Skills Programme and The Remote/Expedition Medic Core Skills Programme . These programmes mark the next step in a unique partnership between two long established leaders in outdoor training and remote, austere, wilderness medical, safety, and risk management and will bring to a wider audience, this specialist skill and knowledge training already utilised on every continent in every environment.
The programmes facilitate good practice in core or essential skills, by combining remote/fieldwork/outdoor skills, risk management training and appropriate medical training.
The highly practical and theory/knowledge-based courses address core skills and complement, rather than cut across other academic programmes in the field.
It is essential that those leading deployments to the field have appropriate skills to lead in the field as well as appropriate planning/risk management and first aid/medical knowledge – and conversely, to ensure that health care professionals operating as medics in remote, austere and wilderness settings have not only the appropriate medical skills, but also have the practical skills to work in and thrive in the environment they are due to be operating in.
The programmes focus on the core skills, to enable course alumni to put in place solid foundations, by way of knowledge and skills, for operations in the field.
Additional announcements, widening programme opportunities (for in the field experience in a variety of environments), for programme students/alumni will follow in the very near future.
Both organisations are leaders in their fields. Their respective web sites set out expertise and client lists. Whether it is delivering medical training to those operating on every continent or delivering the skills for them to operate there.
Plas y Brenin is the National Outdoor Centre – long associated with exceptional skills training for those undertaking adventurous, outdoor or expeditionary activities across the globe and providing specialist water and rope rescue training for SAR, media safety and others.
R2Ri Faculty have been involved in developing both the British Standard in expedition, adventure travel and fieldwork safety and the international (ISO) standard for Travel Risk Management, as well as multiple Faculty members authoring/editing sections of the sector leading Oxford Handbook for Expedition and Wilderness Medicine. R2Ri is also involved in research with multiple Universities.
R2Ri are THE pioneers in Prolonged Field Care in the UK, for civilian expedition and field teams.
Faculty have presented as main stage subject matter experts at the Royal Geographical Society Explore Expedition Conference and support online Diploma courses in subjects such as travel health through global leaders such as Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
Our belief is very much strength and quality through partnerships with like-minded sector leaders in respective fields.

Core Modules:
Modules with an asterisk* are delivered by Remote Area Risk International, the rest by Plas y Brenin, The National Outdoor Centre.


Certification:
Delegates who complete the full programme will receive joint certification for the full programme from PYB and R2Ri, covering core expedition and fieldwork skills, reflecting which modules were taught by each programme partner.
Many of the courses are externally certified. Certifications for specific modules include from the Royal Geographical Society, Rescue 3 International, National Governing Body Awards, Ofqual regulated qualifications as well as a Wilderness First Responder certification which is compliant with Wilderness Medical Society recommendations.
For full details on certifications and who the awarding body is, please view the web page for each respective course module.
Further announcements on the accreditations front very shortly.
Delegates can choose to pursue either Terrestrial/ Mountain or Water based qualification routes (or multiple, if you operate in multiple spheres).

Flexible Learning:
The programme is modular allowing delegates to complete training at their own pace, and as time and budget allow. It is recommended that the programme is undertaken over c. 2 years.
Prior learning, specifically from either organisation, of the named modules, may be recognised toward certification.
Prior learning of Mountain, Water, International Mountain Leader qualifications awarded prior to 01.08.25 from other organisations, may be recognised towards certification.
Optional Modules/Continuation Training:
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Climbing qualifications
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Mountain biking qualifications
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Jungle specific 1 day module (risk management, kit, medical considerations)
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Desert specific 1 day module (risk management, kit, medical considerations)
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Polar specific 1 day module (risk management, kit, medical considerations)
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Mountain specific 1 day module (risk management, kit, medical considerations)
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Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Professional Diploma in Travel Health (Online),
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Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Diploma in Tropical Nursing (Online),
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Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Diploma in Tropical Health and Hygiene.
Final Exercise/Consolidation Weekend:
Once all modules are complete, delegates can attend a final exercise/consolidation weekend/expedition, run by PYB and accompanied by medics from R2Ri. Delegates will be expected to:
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Undertake a 2-day expedition in North Wales
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Submit written kit lists for leader and participants, written risk assessments, route plans and evacuation plans
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Operate out of an expedition backpack with personal kit and provided first aid and communications kit
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Handle realistic leadership, first aid, group management and logistical scenarios over two nights and two days
Delegates will be given feedback at the end of the weekend to inform future development
In field Experience:
Opportunities exist for delegates to book on and attend PYB ‘Embark’ series expeditions and shadow a PYB expedition leadership team and expedition medics to gain contextual experience with learning from observation and reflective learning.
How To Book:
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The Terms and Conditions of the delivering organisation will apply to each individual module booking.
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Modules marked with an asterisk (*) must be booked via: www.R2Rinternational.com
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All other modules can be booked at www.pyb.co.uk
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Accommodation can be booked directly at bookings@pyb.co.uk