Improvised hypothermia wrap from Norway

Improvised hypothermia wrap from Norway

This week, the College is back in Norway running the Austere Emergency Care course for the boat rescue organisation. These professionals treat hypothermia quite often and have some really good kits available. I wanted to see what they would use if they didn’t have a lot of kit. This is what they use when they need an improvised medical hypothermia kit.

Bin bag and blanket. Pull one large bin bag over the feet and one over the head. Tear a hole into the one going over the head for the head to come out of the bin bag. Have the two bags meet in the middle. In a perfect world, they would overlap each other at the waist. They then wrap a blanket around the casualty. Tom Mallinson and I quickly asked why they didn’t put the blanket under the bin bag. They stated that this was a better option, and they had conducted studies using thermometer probes and tested the temperature difference between a bin bag-blanket option vs. a blanket-bin bag option. They say that the bin bag on the skin creates more warmth.

I am a bit sceptical. I understand that we need a lot of trapped air next to our body to increase the body’s temperature. The bin bags create an excellent windbreak and keep heat in compared to nothing.

I would like to hear from other medical providers whether this would be a good option for an improvised medical.

The Bottom Line: Be willing and open to new ideas but always have a critical view until scientifically proven to be evidence-based medicine.

Snorre Bue

Curious and continuous learner ?? { }??

1 年

No need for this. Remove wet clothes, put on dry clothes.

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Esa Piispa

Remote Paramedic for high risk areas/PSD Paramedic/ EOD Team Medic, SIA CPO, City&Guils MSO, MIST, OPITO BOSIET with HUET and CA-EBS

1 年

We have lot of awesome hypothermia products in Scandinavia, no need for "Improvised hypothermia wrap".... ??

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Dave Connell

Freelance survival, medical & safety consultant specialising in remote & hostile areas.

1 年

I have a healthy skepticism about this. Colin Smart would probably be the man to speak to or to comment on this issue as he did testing on various taco style systems including his own commercial wrap. I think my issue would be moisture accumulation thus making the casualty wet within the plastic. You don't mention if the potential victim is naked or clothed which may also play a part. I also see no rewarming through heat pad, improvised or otherwise which means it is likely that the best that can be achieved is a slowing down of heat loss, but still progressive heat loss. You also do not say whether the patient is static or being evacuated out on one platform or another.. pulk for example. If static some bushcraft knowledge particularly in the arctic would be useful if you find yourself in a survival situation with a casualty. Knowing how to make and improve a Skandi shelter for example or have the means to construct a super shelter as described by the great Mors Kochasnski would greatly improve the situation. If on a pulk with no real good insulation or heat provision....hmmm, I am not seeing it. As you imply, more testing to do.

Brian Foy

Global Medical Instructor

1 年

Was taught a similar technique but use the bag as a diaper to keep heat in but also to protect from human waste. Also use a Texas cathadar for men and upside down simple non-rebreather taped for woman to collect urine. Can attach to a bag and now can measure urine output. Not exact but helps

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