Developed and led by David Nott, the Royal College of Surgeons’ Surgical Training for Austere Environments (STAE) course is designed for medical professionals working in, or travelling to, conflict and catastrophe zones. It equips doctors with the skills to make resource-based triage decisions, perform a range of surgical procedures, and handle common abdominal emergencies affecting civilian populations in challenging environments.

This cadaveric course focuses on cases associated with conflict and catastrophe, from penetrating and crush injuries, to trauma to the limbs, head, thorax and torso. It also looks at post-disaster procedures, including skin flaps and grafts, and the management of orthopaedic fractures using external fixation and traction.

One day of the course, held at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, deals with the decision-making and management of obstetric emergencies, including post-partum haemorrhage and caesarean section.