Medical Documentation Requirements for Expedition Participants

To ensure that participants are capable of completing the journey safely and coping with remote and climatically challenging areas, and in order to help prevent evacuation, some expedition members must provide medical documentation.

When a medical certificate is required

A medical certificate must be submitted if a participant:
• is 66 years of age or older,
• has a physical or mental disability, or
• has a medical condition that may affect their ability to complete the expedition safely.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide all relevant information about age, disabilities, medical conditions, and any medication.

Required contents of the medical certificate

A valid medical certificate (issued within the last 3 months) must include:
1. Relevant disabilities, illnesses or medical conditions.
2. A medical assessment confirming the participant’s suitability for the planned journey, including travel in areas regulated under the Executive Order on Access and Travel.
3. Any precautions or measures required due to illness, disability or age-related limitations.
4. For participants using medication: confirmation that the medication can be stored and taken under extreme temperature conditions without reduced effectiveness.

Use of a general medical statement

Instead of individual certificates, expeditions may submit a general medical statement if:
• a qualified medical professional is physically present for the duration of the expedition or at the relevant station/vessel, and
• this professional is able to assess all participants before they engage in physically demanding or remote-area activities.

The general medical statement must describe how participants aged 66 or older, or those with known medical conditions, will be assessed and confirmed fit to take part in any physically demanding or off-vessel / off-station activities.

When a general medical statement is not sufficient

If no qualified medical professional is present during the expedition, each participant who is:
• 66 years or older,
• living with a disability or medical condition, or
• participating in physically demanding or high risk activities,
must submit an individual medical certificate.