DiDMM logo- DiDMM with sails on the D and M

The Diploma in Diving and Marine Medicine (DiDMM) is an exciting program designed to train the participant in the essentials of caring for patients in the marine environment. The participants will receive specialized training in diving physics, physiology and medicine; management of diving accidents; hazards of the marine environment; the essentials of medicine at sea; water rescue and survival techniques; and trip planning. The DiDMM is a new program offered by the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. The Wilderness Medical Society is partnering with worldwide experts to offer a first class experience.

The DiDMM is composed of 3 domains: Diving Medicine, Marine Medicine and Sciences, and Medicine at Sea. The DiDMM is open to candidates that possess (or will possess in the near future) a nationally recognized professional medical certification appropriate to the level of the DiDMM curriculum. These include Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Registered Nurse (RN), Physician Assistant (PA), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Paramedic (EMT-P), Advanced EMT (EMT-A). Other certifications may be eligible and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Historically, successful candidates will also have some exposure to diving, sailing, boating, other water sports, and/or marine science.

The DiDMM is intended as continuing education for medical providers who work in or aspire to work in austere environments.
The required coursework is an ideal blend of didactic and practical education in wilderness medicine, diving and marine medicine, water rescue and self-sufficiency at sea.
This skill set crosses a multitude of disciplines including hyperbaric and diving medicine, marine science, expedition medicine, search and rescue at sea, and ocean recreation.
What to Expect 

Diploma Requirements:
- Complete Safety at Sea certification (2 day course): US Sailing Offshore Safety at Sea course (online or in person) and Hands-on Training Course
- Complete Rescue Diver certification (SSI, PADI, NAUI, SDI)
- Active standard or premium membership to the WMS
- Attend all DiDMM sessions***
- Pass all post-session examinations

The program is divided into three week-long sessions that should be completed within a two to three year time period.

Marine Medicine Session: Hyperbarics, Hazardous Marine Life, Marine Science, Water Rescue
Diving Medicine Session: Diving Physiology, Diving Medicine
Medicine at Sea Session: MedSail or Medicine at Sea Preconference + Outside watercraft Course

The three week-long sessions will be aimed at acquisition of advanced knowledge in diving and marine medicine along with practical diving and medicine at sea skills. These will include the Marine Medicine Conference, Diving Medicine Conference and a Medicine at Sea Conference.

  • Medicine at Sea Course options - Candidates may choose to attend one of two conferences: MedSail in the BVIs or a DiDMM “Medicine at Sea” preconference offered in conjunction with the WMS Summer Conferences during odd calendar years.  Attendance at pre-conference workshops and selected conference lectures will be required.

  • ^^Candidates choosing to attend the DiDMM Medicine at Sea preconference will be required to submit proof of course/certification in advanced training in the watercraft of your choice.
    Sailing Certification (ASA, US Sailing, NauticEd)
    Swiftwater Rescue course (SSI, ACA, Rescue 3 International)
    Personal Watercraft Safety courses (approved by NASBLA or USCG)  
    ISA/ILS Surf and SUP Aquatic Rescue and Water Safety Course
    Lifeguarding course (American Red Cross, YMCA)
    Paddlesport boater safety courses (American Canoe Association)
    Other equivalent course, as approved by DiDMM with a focus on water safety, hazards specific to watersport and basic life support and first aid in the aquatic environment.
    Following attendance in each session, DiDMM candidates are required to complete and pass an exam within 60 days.
    ***The majority of the DiDMM conference requirements must be completed through WMS (this excludes required Survival at Sea Course, Rescue Diver certification).  If candidates would like to pursue a course outside of WMS they must obtain pre-approval by the DiDMM committee (this includes submission of course name, syllabus and faculty presenting at course) to [email protected] .
     

Due to the demanding physical nature of the DiDMM field sessions, some basic prerequisites are required to ensure a safe learning environment for all participants.  Candidates  enrolling in this program of study should have experience with diving, swimming, and basic sailing experience (with opportunities to practice these skills at conferences).

The academic nature of the diploma requires participants to pass both written and skills examinations in order to complete the program. During skill sessions, instructors will perform reasonable remediation for any participant that does not meet the minimum skill standards set by the WMS DiDMM. If the participant still has not passed these skills by the end of the session, as determined by the instructors, he/she will be required to re-take that session at their own cost. The participant will be given a maximum of two attempts to successfully complete any certain skill session and three attempts to pass a specific written exam.  If the participant does not pass a certain written exam or skill session after these attempts, the diploma cannot be awarded. Candidates should anticipate a required recertification course every 5 years to maintain DiDMM certification status.

Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
For participants in Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) Electives, Adventure CME, Diploma in Mountain Medicine, Diploma in Diving and Marine Medicine programs.

Wilderness Medical Society programs and experiences occur in both traditional classrooms and in remote, dynamic wilderness environments over days to weeks. Living and learning in these environments is challenging and is physically, cognitively, and emotionally demanding. Participants will be exposed to potentially unfamiliar environments and must be fully engaged in self-care and responsibility while committing to the needs and goals of both the group and the program. The Wilderness Medical Society strives to foster an inclusive environment where each program member has an opportunity to contribute and feel respected.

The document below outlines the minimum requirements for participation. A qualified person is one who meets the EEC for participation in the program activity. If you have specific questions, please contact the program organizer to explore these criteria in more detail.

Essential Eligibility Criteria